Ecobank Theft Case on Course

Two employees of ECOBANK-Liberia, Karine N. Walker and Rufus Looh, linked to a US$40,000 theft case were yesterday placed on prisoner bench at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, awaiting court trials.

Complainant Genevieve Freeman Massa, the National Coordinator and Executive Director for Combat Stress Liberia Inc, or CSLI told investigators that while traveling to America, she introduced the defendants to Ecobank management authorizing them to serve in the capacity of signatories to the CSLI’s account at Ecobank.

Complainant Massa stated during investigation that she also informed the bank that the two persons along with Awisi A. Smith; employee of CSLI that  will be required at all times, as of January 2010, to signature all transactions that would lead to the withdrawal of funds from the institution’s account.

Massa, during the investigation, told police investigators that upon her return, US$30,000 was withdrawn from her institution’s account on January 18, 2010, while US$10,000 was also withdrawn on January 19, 2010, but according to her, Ecobank said all withdrawals were made by Awisi Smith and defendant Albert N. Sibley.

Police investigation conducted included some of Ecobank’s employees from both Paynesville and Sinkor 5th Street branches, who were reportedly part of the payment of the US$40,000.

The tellers H. Martis Sonii and Emmanuel J. Peters from Paynesville and 5th Street, said they were authorized by their various supervisors Gayflowu and Caselle to pay the US$30,000 on January 18 and 19 respectively.

Investigators say the two supervisors admitted, but said they did such after they verified and saw the instruction from Combat Stress Liberia in Ecobank system.