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Court Jails UBA Head of Operations for 40 Years

Court Jails UBA Head of Operations for 40 Years Over Theft Conviction

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Court Jails UBA Head of Operations for 40 Years Over Theft Conviction—-The Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Freetown has sentenced the Head of Operations at the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Fredrick Caulker, to a total of forty (40) years’ imprisonment for corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of public funds.

Delivering judgment at the Main Law Courts Building, Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, found Caulker guilty on four counts of misappropriation of public funds, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008, as amended by the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2019.

The offences related to PAYE and withholding tax payments made by the Small Holder Commercialization Agri-Business Development Project (SCADeP) to the National Revenue Authority

According to the prosecution, the accused, of No. 38A Taylor Street, Wellington, Freetown, abused his position as Head of Operations at UBA by diverting tax payments intended for the NRA into accounts other than the designated NRA accounts, on various dates and in various sums.

During the trial, the prosecution called eight witnesses, including a banker from Commerce Mortgage Bank.

Prosecution Witness Two (PW2), a former subordinate of the accused at UBA, testified that in November 2023 he processed several financial transactions on the instruction of Caulker. He told the court that some of the funds, including amounts of Le. 293,749.80, Le. 169,134.29, Le. 1,291,623.50, and Le. 255,725.81, were originally meant to be paid into NRA accounts but were instead redirected to other accounts following instructions from the accused.

Prosecuting Witness 2 further stated that in one instance, Caulker claimed to have received a call indicating that an initial transfer was a mistake and subsequently instructed that the funds be paid into a different account, providing specific account details.

On count five, which alleged conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, Justice Allieu held that the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of conspiracy. The accused was therefore acquitted and discharged on that count.

However, on counts one to four, the court found Caulker guilty and sentenced him to ten (10) years’ imprisonment on each count. The judge ordered that the sentences run consecutively, resulting in a cumulative sentence of forty (40) years.

In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay Le. 1,980,233.40 into the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The amount is to be paid within ninety (90) days from the date of the judgmen

Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Freetown has sentenced the Head of Operations at the United Bank of Africa (UBA), Fredrick Caulker, to a total of forty (40) years’ imprisonment for corruption-related offences involving the misappropriation of public funds.

 

Source: SierraLeone loaded

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BREAKING: Arsenal Defeat Chelsea 2-1 at Emirates to Extend Unbeaten Run

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BREAKING: Arsenal Defeat Chelsea 2-1 at Emirates to Extend Unbeaten Run—-The Gunners came from behind after Morgan Rogers’ early opener, with Kai Havertz and Martin Ødegaard completing a comeback victory to maintain Arsenal’s perfect start to the Premier League season.

Arsenal produced another statement performance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, coming from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 and maintain their perfect start to the Premier League campaign.

Chelsea stunned the home crowd after just 77 seconds, when Morgan Rogers fired Xabi Alonso’s side into an early lead. Arsenal, however, responded strongly and gradually took control of the contest.

Kai Havertz restored parity in the 25th minute against his former club, finishing Arsenal’s sustained pressure to make it 1-1 before the break.

The Gunners continued to dominate after the restart and completed the comeback through captain Martin Ødegaard, who struck early in the second half after Havertz’s clever movement helped create the opening.

Chelsea pushed desperately for an equaliser late on, but Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya produced a crucial save to deny Estêvão and preserve all three points for the hosts.

The victory means Arsenal remain on nine points from three matches, level with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Chelsea, meanwhile, suffer their first league defeat of the season and remain on six points.

For Mikel Arteta, the comeback further underlined Arsenal’s championship credentials. The reigning champions showed composure after conceding their first goal of the campaign and once again demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure.

Chelsea’s defeat will be frustrating for Alonso, particularly after his side made such a fast start. Despite their attacking threat, Arsenal’s control and defensive resilience ultimately proved decisive.

The result also extends Arsenal’s remarkable unbeaten run against Chelsea to 12 matches across all competitions, further strengthening the Gunners’ recent dominance in the London derby.

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day

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BREAKING: Manchester City Agree £125m Deal to Sign Enzo Fernández From Chelsea On Deadline Day—-Cityzens have reached a British record-equalling agreement with Chelsea for the Argentina international on Deadline Day, with Fernández set to undergo his medical.

Manchester City have agreed a £125 million deal with Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernández in one of the biggest transfers of Deadline Day.

The agreement, reported by Sky Sports and other leading outlets, will see the Argentina international leave Stamford Bridge for the Etihad Stadium in a move that matches the British transfer record previously set by Liverpool’s £125m signing of Alexander Isak.

Fernández is expected to undergo his medical before completing the transfer, with City working against the clock to finalise the deal before the summer transfer window closes.

Maresca Reunites With Fernández

The move will see Fernández reunite with Enzo Maresca, who previously coached him at Chelsea and is now Manchester City’s manager.

Maresca is understood to have been a major driving force behind City’s pursuit of the midfielder as he looks to reshape his squad and strengthen the centre of midfield.

Fernández played an important role during Maresca’s time at Stamford Bridge, helping Chelsea win major silverware before the Italian manager’s move to Manchester.

Chelsea Accept Record Fee

Chelsea signed Fernández from Benfica in January 2023 for approximately £107 million, making him one of the most expensive players in Premier League history at the time.

Just over three years later, Chelsea have agreed to sell the 25-year-old for £125 million, representing a significant return on their original investment.

The Argentine had recently been left out of Chelsea’s squad for successive matches, increasing speculation that his Stamford Bridge future was coming to an end.

City Make Deadline-Day Statement

Manchester City had been pursuing Fernández for much of the summer, but negotiations intensified dramatically as the transfer deadline approached.

Chelsea had previously valued their midfielder at around £120 million and had initially expected him to remain at the club after an earlier deadline for bids passed without a formal offer. However, City’s interest never disappeared, and the two clubs eventually found an agreement on Deadline Day.

The final £125 million package now puts Fernández level with the British transfer record.

Fernández Begins New Chapter

For Fernández, the transfer brings an end to a turbulent period at Chelsea and opens a new chapter under a manager he already knows.

The World Cup-winning midfielder arrived in England with enormous expectations after starring for Argentina and Benfica.

At Manchester City, he will be expected to become a central figure in Maresca’s midfield and help the club compete on multiple fronts.

A Record-Breaking Transfer

The £125 million agreement places Fernández among the most expensive players in football history and makes the Deadline Day transfer one of the biggest stories of the summer window.

City are now racing to complete the remaining formalities, including the medical, before the deadline.

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