By Mamajah Jalloh
Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay, a 37-year-old Nigerian, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to face charges in an ongoing gold fraud case involving $48,000.
Essay is charged with conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid by means of fraud, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. The charges stem from an alleged scheme between March 1 and 19, 2025, at Imatt Stanford Lodge, Hill Station, Freetown, where Essay and an accomplice, Simeon Sankoh, allegedly conspired to defraud Destiny Mentor Nwaokoro of $48,000 (Le1,152,000). The accused falsely promised the victim two kilograms of gold bars, which were never delivered.
When the charges were read, no plea was taken from the accused.
The prosecution’s second witness, Victoria Peters, an officer with the Financial Support Unit (FSU) in Makeni, testified that she knew the complainant, Nwaokoro, as a business partner. She also recognized Essay as the complainant’s manager. Peters explained that between March 1 and 19, the complainant introduced Essay as his manager responsible for handling all business transactions.
Peters testified that Essay, alongside his wife, suggested an investment in Sierra Leone’s gold industry, but it later emerged that the gold was fraudulent. Following this, Essay reportedly proposed a joint venture for a toilet business, which the complainant declined, citing previous financial losses. Tensions escalated when Essay allegedly threatened to trap the complainant in Africa. Peters also recalled that Essay attempted to slap her after she confronted him about the situation, before leaving with a bag containing the complainant’s business cards.
In further testimony, Peters revealed that she discovered through the complainant’s phone that Essay had withdrawn all funds from his credit card and found Essay’s passport in the complainant’s luggage. She reported the matter to the police, leading to a formal statement being taken.
The accused was cross-examined by defense counsel A. Turay.
Magistrate Bangura adjourned the case to Monday, May 5, 2025, while the accused remains on bail.
