By Mamajah Jalloh | Court Correspondent
Freetown, 8th May 2025 — Emmerson Bockarie, a 33-year-old businessman, was on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No.2 in connection with an alleged high-profile gold fraud case.
Bockarie faces two charges: Conspiracy to Defraud and Obtaining Money by False Pretenses contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between 1st January and 24th May 2024 in Monrovia, Liberia, Bockarie allegedly conspired with unknown persons to defraud one Isatu Jabbie of $60,000 USD, equivalent to Le1,356,000 (old notes). The second count alleges that he obtained the said amount by falsely claiming he had a quantity of gold for sale—knowing the representation to be untrue.
No plea was taken when the charges were read in court.
Prosecution led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh called the first witness, Mabinty Sesay, a businesswoman and elder sister of the complainant. She testified that her sister, Isatu Jabbie, who resides in the United States, was introduced to the accused via video call and eventually engaged in a gold business transaction with him.
According to Mabinty, her sister instructed her to send $200 to a number provided by the accused. Later, she was informed that Isatu had transferred $10,000 to Bockarie for a promised gold supply that never materialized. Mabinty said she subsequently made a statement to the police.
Defense counsel C. Kamara Esq. cross-examined the witness and made an application for bail, which Magistrate Bangura granted.
The accused was granted bail in the sum of Le2 million, with two sureties in like amount. The sureties must be property owners in Freetown and possess bank accounts containing at least half the amount in question. They must also provide valid identification documents confirming their addresses in the capital. The bail is to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter was adjourned to 21st May 2025 for further hearing.
