By: Alimatu Kargbo
The ongoing preliminary investigation into the alleged US$210,000 gold fraud involving Admire Frances Bio Jalloh, 45, and her husband, Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy, 42, has moved closer to a ruling after the defence indicated that the prosecution had failed to establish a case against the accused.
The two accused are standing trial before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 on an 11-count charge of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, receiving money on forged documents, uttering forged documents, selling minerals without lawful authority, and tax evasion.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown between 10 and 14 August 2025 at No. 1 DAJ Drive, Mile 13, Freetown Peninsula, to defraud two Italian businessmen, Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa, of US$210,000 by falsely claiming they operated a legitimate gold trading business through GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that the accused obtained US$100,000 from the complainants under the pretext of supplying three kilograms of gold, later collected an additional US$110,000 under the same representation, and subsequently received a further US$15,000, purportedly to cover export taxes for the gold.
The matter is being prosecuted by State Counsel Isaac Yusuf Sesay, while M.C. L. Cole Wilson Esq is representing both accused persons.
During the proceedings, the prosecution called its lead investigator, Detective Inspector Abubakar Hassan, attached to the Foreign Nationals and Tourism Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, who adopted the witness stand and testified on the police investigation.
The detective told the court that following a complaint lodged by the two Italian nationals on 15 August 2025, the matter was assigned to the Transnational Crime Unit and the Anti-Fraud Unit for joint investigation. He said investigators obtained statements from the complainants, witnesses, and both accused persons, all of which were tendered and admitted as exhibits.
He further testified that investigators visited No. 92 Wilkinson Road, the address listed for GAM Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, but found only an unfinished building with no office operating under the company’s name. According to him, the property’s owner also confirmed she had no knowledge of the company operating from the premises.
Detective Inspector Hassan also informed the court that police carried out further enquiries at the National Minerals Agency, obtained an official response, and later received US$15,000 as a refund linked to the transaction under investigation. He added that following legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), both accused were formally charged, cautioned, and their charge statements tendered before the court.
At the close of the witness’s testimony, defence counsel M.C. L. Nicole-Wilson initially sought to cross-examine the witness despite having earlier informed the court in chambers that he would not ask any questions.
State Counsel Isaac Yusuf Sesay objected, reminding the court that the defence had already indicated it would not cross-examine the witness. He argued that counsel could not depart from the position earlier communicated to the court.
Magistrate Jah upheld the prosecution’s objection and ruled that there would be no cross-examination, noting that the defence was bound by its earlier representation that it had no questions for the witness.
Following the ruling, defence counsel informed the court that he would instead proceed with a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence requiring the accused persons to open their defence.
The matter was adjourned for ruling on the defence’s no-case submission on 10 August 2026, while the prosecution was directed to file its response on 13 August 2026, after which the court will determine whether the accused persons have a case to answer.
