By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
A former Credit Officer at Reliance Financial Services’ Brusubi Branch, Ousainou Faal, has been granted bail by the Bundung Magistrate Court after being accused of stealing over D1.9 million from his employer.
Faal faces a charge of theft by a clerk or servant contrary to Section 258 of the Criminal Code. Prosecutors allege that in 2024 he misappropriated D1,916,436.00, funds entrusted to him by women’s organisations and vendors for deposit into the company’s accounts. Police investigators claim the money was never deposited.
When the charge was read to him in Wolof, Faal pleaded not guilty. Representing the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Commissioner Almameh Manga appeared for the prosecution, while lawyers Fakebba Darboe and L. Sanyang represented the accused.
The defence requested disclosure of all evidence the prosecution intends to rely on. Prosecutors agreed but noted that the file was “bulky,” containing fraud reports, and insisted the defence bear the photocopying costs. Defence counsel also urged the court to grant reasonable bail, maintaining the same conditions earlier set by police.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kebba Baldeh granted bail on the condition that Faal produce a title deed for a leasehold property within the court’s jurisdiction, equivalent in value to the alleged stolen amount of D1,916,436.00.
The case has been adjourned to September 10 at 11:30 a.m. for the prosecution to call its first witness.
