In Alleged Defrauding Of Q-Cell… Magistrate Slams Bench Warrant On Two Zenith Bank Staff
By Fatima Sesay
Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No2, on Thursday 19th February 2026, issued bench warrants against Two Zenith Bank staff: Hassan Fornah and Mohamed Tharm, for allegedly defrauding the bank over 200 million old leones.
The defendants were charged with three counts; ranging from Conspiracy to defraud contrary to law, fraudulent conversion Contrary to Section 20 (1) (iv) (a) of the larceny Act 1916 and Fraudulent embezzlement contrary to section 17 (1) (b) of the larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, on diverse dates between Monday 20th January to the 17th March 2025 at Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited, Bo Branch in Bo City, in the Kakua Chiefdom, Southern Province of Sierra Leone, with intent to defraud, conspired together with other persons unknown and defrauded Zenith Bank Sierra Leone Limited the sum of two million one hundred and fifty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight Leones (2,155,898.00)
It was further alleged on count two that the defendants on the same date and place, fraudulently converted to their own use or benefit the sum of two million one hundred and fifty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight Leones (2,155,898.00) entrusted to them by Staff of Q-Cell (SL) Limited for the purpose of depositing same into the Q-Cell account Number 6010306485 at the above named bank.
While count three added that the defendants, on the same date and place, fraudulently embezzled the sum of two million one hundred and fifty-five thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight Leones (2,155,898.00) entrusted to them by Staff of Q-Cell (SL) Limited for the purpose of depositing same into the Q-Cell account Number 6010306485 at the above named bank
When the matter was mentioned in court, both defendants were absent in court.
The Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Dhalia Wellington, applied for bench warrant against the absent defendants and surties respectively.
Magistrate Fornah then granted the application made by the Prosecution and adjourned the matter to the 20th February 2026.
