For Stealing Over NLe900,000… Ecobank Drags Staff To Court

By Fatima Sesay

 

Ishmael Hortons Jalloh, former Card Operator at Ecobank has been dragged to court by the bank for allegedly stealing over nine hundred thousand new Leones from the bank.

 

The accused made his second appearance on Wednesday 10th September 2025 before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2  on a count charge of Larceny by Servant, Contrary to section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.

 

The charge sheet indicated that the accused on dates between 5th  September, 2022 and November, 2024, at Ecobank Head Office in Freetown, being a Card Operations Officer employed by the Ecobank, stole the sum of Nine Hundred and Eighty One Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Eighty Leones, Thirty Eight Cents (Le 981,268.38) from Ecobank General Ledger and deposited same into a Car Tech Account Number: 6340005879 of a customer, and was withdrawn upon his instructions, property of the Bank.

In his testimony, Osman David Kamara said he is a Banker working at Ecobank and is Head of Internal Audit.

He said his role is to carry out independent and objective activities of the bank in the form of audit and investigation, adding that he also evaluates and recruits in bank Operation, risk management, corporate governance and internal control.

He recognized the accused as former staff working for the institution.

At this juncture, the Prosecutor, ASP Dalia Wellington, sought for an adjournment to properly interview the witness.

The accused is on bail and the matter was adjourned to the 19 September 2025 for continuation.