By SKS
Umaru Kargbo, 29, the former manager of Saboath Construction and General Merchandise Company, appeared in court on Tuesday 24th of June 2025, charged with allegedly stealing Le292,800 from the company’s Zenith Bank account.
Kargbo appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 in Freetown facing one count charge of larceny by servant.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused, between Tuesday, April 2, 2024, and Friday, November 29, 2024, at Zenith Bank on Rawdon Street, Freetown, allegedly stole Le292,800 from account number 6010184525 belonging to Saboath Construction and General Merchandise Company. Kargbo was the manager of the company at the time.
Prosecutor Inspector M.K. Taylor called the first prosecution witness, Cyril K. Jusu, a civil engineer and former colleague of the accused. Jusu identified Kargbo in court and confirmed that he had been managing the company.
Jusu testified that in December 2024, he visited Zenith Bank to review the company’s account, which Kargbo also signatory to. He stated that upon viewing the account balance, he was shocked because it did not match the expected funds.
He further explained that the accountant provided him with the bank statements to verify the account activity. The court admitted and tendered the bank statement as Exhibit A into the record.
Following the testimony, Prosecutor Taylor requested a short adjournment to allow for further proceedings.
In his defense, I.J. Sesay, Esq., applied for bail on behalf of the accused, asserting that Kargbo is a Sierra Leonean resident within the jurisdiction.
He argued that the charge was merely an allegation under Section 23 of the 1991 Constitution and that the accused posed no flight risk. He assured the court that Kargbo would cooperate fully and would not interfere with witnesses if granted bail, citing Sections 79(2) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965.
Magistrate Jah, after hearing the application, denied bail due to the seriousness of the offense and ordered Kargbo to be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility. The case was adjourned to June 30, 2025, for further proceedings
