By Mamajah Jalloh
Police have tendered statements and other documents in the ongoing alleged $210,000 fraud case involving 45-year-old Admire Frances Bio Jalloh and 42-year-old Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy.
The accused persons appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Thursday, August 6, 2026, on an 11-count charge including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, receiving money on a forged document, uttering a forged document, selling minerals without legal permission and tax evasion.
According to the particulars of the offences, between August 10 and 14, 2025, at No. 1 DAJ Drive, Mile 13, Freetown Peninsular, both accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to defraud Italian nationals Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa of US$210,000.
The prosecution alleged that the accused falsely represented that they were genuine gold dealers operating under the name GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited and were licensed to sell three kilograms of gold.
The second and third counts alleged that the accused obtained US$100,000 and US$110,000 respectively from the complainants by falsely claiming that they had a genuine gold business and were licensed to sell three kilograms of gold.
The fourth count alleged that the accused obtained an additional US$15,000 from the complainants under the false pretence that the money would be used to pay export taxes for three kilograms of gold.
The fifth count alleged that on August 13, 2025, at Milton Margai College Drive, Goderich, the accused conspired with other persons unknown to rob the complainants of three kilograms of gold valued at US$210,000.
The sixth and seventh counts alleged that the accused knowingly possessed US$100,000 and US$110,000 respectively, which were allegedly proceeds of unlawful activities.
The eighth count alleged that the accused received US$210,000 from the complainants by virtue of a forged receipt purportedly issued by GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, knowing the document to be forged.
The ninth count alleged that the accused uttered a forged document purporting to be a payment invoice from GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, with intent to defraud.
The tenth count alleged that the accused sold three kilograms of gold bars to the complainants without legal permission, while the eleventh count alleged that they wilfully evaded the payment of income tax arising from the sale of the gold.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken as the matter is proceeding by way of committal proceedings.
Police Witness Testifies
The State Prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq., led prosecution witness number three, Inspector Abubakarr Hassan, attached to the Foreign Nationals and Tourism Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Pademba Road, Freetown.
Inspector Hassan told the court that he recognised both accused persons and recalled that on August 15, 2025, while on duty at his office, a case of conspiracy to commit robbery was reported by two Italian nationals who had been allocated to their unit.
He said personnel from the Anti-Fraud Unit were subsequently assigned to the matter and statements were obtained from the complainants.
The witness said that on the same day, he and his colleague, Inspector Hassan Kargbo, obtained a statement from Ibrahim Sesay. He added that Inspector Hassan Kargbo, together with Sergeant 10170 Kamara M.A., also obtained a statement from Bahij Moujss alias Buddy, while Inspector Hassan Kargbo and DPC 12057 Brima Koroma obtained a statement from the first accused, Admire Frances Bio Jalloh.
Inspector Hassan further testified that on August 18, 2025, he obtained a statement from complainant Alfio Siracusa, who produced a receipt allegedly given to him by the accused persons. The receipt was tendered in evidence and admitted as part of the court records.
He said he later obtained additional statements from Siracusa, Ibrahim Sesay and Bahij Moujss alias Buddy during the course of the investigation.
The witness told the court that on November 4, 2025, he and 12038 Sesay M.S. visited No. 92 Wilkinson Road, Freetown, to verify the address of GAN Minerals stated on the receipt allegedly issued to the complainant.
According to him, they discovered that the address was an incomplete building, with the ground floor partly finished and occupied by a Lebanese national.
Inspector Hassan said that on November 19, 2025, he obtained a statement from the property owner, Ester Finda Dauda, who allegedly told police that she had no knowledge of GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited.
He further testified that on June 10, 2026, he and his line manager, Inspector Hosier Musa, obtained a further statement from the first accused.
The witness said police had also written to the National Minerals Agency on October 30, 2025, requesting verification of payments allegedly made by GAN Minerals.
He told the court that during the investigation, on October 19, 2025, police received US$15,000 from Bahij Moujss, a Lebanese national, as a refund of money allegedly paid by the complainants for the three kilograms of gold.
Inspector Hassan said the National Minerals Agency responded to the police request on May 6, 2026.
He further testified that on June 11, 2026, he and Inspector Hosmon J. Musa obtained a charged statement from the first accused after receiving advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge both accused persons.
The witness said the first accused was charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering, receiving money on a forged document, selling minerals without a legal licence and tax evasion.
Inspector Hassan added that on March 17, 2026, police obtained a statement from the second accused, Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy. On July 1, 2026, he obtained a further statement from him, and the accused allegedly tendered a copy of his flight ticket to the police.
He said a charged statement was subsequently obtained from the second accused on allegations including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, selling minerals without a legal licence and tax evasion.
Defence Seeks No-Case Submission
Defence Counsel Melron C. Nicole Wilson Esq. told the court that, in view of the statements and exhibits tendered by the prosecution witness, he intended to make a no-case submission pursuant to Section 113(8) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah subsequently adjourned the matter to August 10, 2026.
