Ecobank Employee Cleared

The Criminal Court “C” in Monrovia has cleared Zobon Gbanjah alias Zobon Kolenky, of crimes brought against him by his employer, the EcoBank-Liberia. Mr. Gbanjah was among six Ecobank-Liberia employees accused by the bank of theft of over US$375,000.00 from in 2011.

But lawyers representing Ecobank-Liberia, including Cllr. Theophilus T.C. Gould later nolleprosequoi (do not prosecute)Zobon Gbanjah, while the remaining five indictees  have denied all of the claims levied in the indictment drawn against them before the Criminal Court “C”.

Haven been nolleprosequoi on Monday, August 20, 2012, Mr. Gbanjah has now become a state witness, while the five others will face trial at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.

Prosecutors invoked Section 18.1 of the Criminal Procedure Law and withdrew charges against Mr. Gbanjah. The defense counsel interposed no objection to the prosecution’s request to release Mr. Gbanjah, giving the court the upper hand to restore his liberties.

Upon rendering the decision, Court “C” Judge Peter Gbenewleh ordered Zobon Gbanjah released with his criminal appearance bond returned to him. Those facing prosecution, include defendants Stanley Johnson, Glen Washington, David Yenego, Mandela Kaiser and Othello Smith.

Facing multiple crimes in the indictment, the five defendants listed were accused of jointly organizing a theft scheme in which they allegedly carried on a double cash transfer first to the bank’s customers and then to one Ruth Sawmalda’s account in Grand Bassa County.

The five defendants had allegedly transferred a total of US$378,676.26 into Ruth’s account. The transaction was discovered by Ecobank during  its yearly reconciliation.

Meanwhile, on Monday, September 3, 2012, a full panel of jury was selected at the Criminal Court “C” in the ongoing Ecobank-Liberia theft case. The trial is expected to commence upon assignment of the case.