July 15, 2015 By Hawa Amara
Financial Control Officer at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Ansumana Juma Kpange, was yesterday denied bail again by Magistrate Komba Kamanda and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road.
Kpange is alleged to have stolen the sum of three hundred and twenty-six million, three hundred and ninety-three thousand, thirty-two Leones and seventy cents (Le326,393,32,70.00) from the profit and loss account of the bank.
Kpange, who was making his second appearance, was arraigned at the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1 on seventy-nine counts of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, larceny by servant, transferring proceeds of unlawful activities, and concealing of unlawful activities, contrary to section 5(1) (a)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financial Terrorism Act 2012.
According to police prosecutor Sergeant 922 John Dumbuya, the accused on dates between 1st May, 2014 and 31 December, 2014 stole the said amount from the profit and loss account of UBA in Freetown, with intent to defraud.
The prosecution also alleged that the accused from 1 April, 2014 to 30 May, 2015 transferred proceeds of crime in the sum of thirty-one million, one hundred and one thousand, eight hundred and ninety-seven Leones and four cents from the Charlotte Street UBA branch, Account No. 680043234, in the name of one Laureh Yeama Barley.
Testifying, investigation officer, Detective Police Constable 4013 Mohamed Jusu attached to the Cyber Crime Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department, told the court that on 16 June, 2015 Internal Audit Officer at UBA, Hassanatu Kallon and Detective Sergeant 8426 Thorley H. arrested and brought the accused to his unit for interrogation.
He said he and Detective Inspector Mohamed Sillah interrogated the accused before the latter signed his statement.
He said the investigation team conducted a search warrant in the premise of the accused, his wife’s shop, his former office at UBA on No.19 Charlotte Street and home of his paramour.
He said during the search items of police interest were found and handed over to the exhibit clerk for safekeeping.
On his part, exhibit clerk, Detective Police Constable 1516 Abu Conteh attached to the Crime Writers Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, told the court that on 7 July, 2015 he received 144 assorted items from his colleague detective for safe keeping.
He said the items include cooking commodities and household goodies, plus a Mazda vehicle with registration number AJJ 687, eight UBA ID cards, two red Honda generators and a chair and table.
Defence counsel H.M. Gavao renewed his application for bail but the magistrate refused to grant one.
The matter continues on 20 July.