By Janet A. Sesay
LAPO Microfinance Manager, Francesa Lawson is in detention for alleged embezzlement of Le100m after her first appearance before a magistrate court in Freetown.
The accused is in charge of the Micro Finance Bank in Makeni City Northern region, and her detention order was by the presiding Magistrate, Sahr Kekura. She was arraigned on a 4-count charge of conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, forgery and uttering forged document.
According to the Particulars of offence, the accused Francess Lawson, between 1st April and Thursday 31st  August, 2023, in Makeni, Bombali district conspired with other persons unknown and defrauded NLe104,416 or Le104,416, 000 (one hundred and four million, four hundred sixteen thousand Leones), property of LAPO Micro Finance Sierra Leone Limited.
On the same date and place, according to police records, the accused also fraudulently embezzled similar amount. The matter could not proceed during last Friday’s hearings, but it comes up again on 15th February.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Mansaray is prosecuting the matter