A court accounts clerk, Haruna Jallow, has been found guilty of stealing funds from the inheritance of two deceased individuals, Ebra Secka and Balla Manneh. Jallow, who worked at Bundung Magistrates’ Court, was entrusted with managing the inheritance money by the Cadi’s court.
The stolen funds included D282,400 from Ebra Secka’s estate and D934,754 from Balla Manneh’s estate. Jallow faced three charges: stealing by a public servant, false accounting, and breach of trust. He pleaded guilty to the charges of stealing and breach of trust but denied the false accounting charge. Sentencing for the charges he admitted to is set for November.
According to Inspector Bobo Jarju, the theft occurred in March 2022, while Jallow was employed at the court. He received the inheritance funds and transferred a large portion of them, D934,754, to a police officer named Corporal Sowe, who deposited the money into a personal bank account.
When the Cadi’s court requested the D282,400 for Secka’s estate, Jallow was unable to provide it. Upon questioning, Jallow admitted to using the money for personal family matters. He attempted to cover the shortfall by withdrawing funds from the D934,754 inheritance of Balla Manneh, ultimately diverting the remaining amount. Although Jallow returned D700,000 to the judiciary, the office safe was later reported stolen.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Jallow had violated the trust placed in him as a public servant. In court, he asked for leniency, explaining that this was his first offense, and he had been suspended from his job, receiving only half his salary. He also requested a fine instead of imprisonment, citing poor health, and asked for five months to repay the stolen amount.
Jallow was granted bail for D300,000, and the case was adjourned until November 13 for sentencing.
