By Janet A Sesay
The Mines Compliance Officer at the Freetown International Airport, who identifies herself as Esther Marian Fornah, on Wednesday 8th July 2021 made her first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1, as she was alleged by police to have conspired with other persons to steal 64 carats pieces of diamond. Accordingly, the pieces of diamond belong to Jason Barnet.
The accused is standing trial before the court on two counts of conspiracy to defraud, which are contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The indictment states that the accused, on Monday, 26th April, 2021 at the Freetown International Airport, conspired with Jabbie Sheriff, Eddie Harry Taylor, Abdul Kamara and other persons unknown to defraud and steal Jason Barnet’s sixty-four (64) carats diamond, which is valued at eighty-four thousand, eight hundred United States Dollars ($84,800 USD) (equivalent to eight hundred and forty-eight million Leones (Le848,000,000).
After the charges were read to the accused, she pleaded not guilty on both counts.
The prosecutor, A.S.P. Ibrahim Mansaray, sought for a short date for him to interview the witness properly.
Lead defense counsel, Africanus Sesay, made an application for bail on behalf of the accused, canvassing that she will not jump bail and will not interfere with the prosecution’s witnesses.
The prosecution filed an affidavit opposing the granting of bail to the accused. He based it on the grounds that the money involved is very huge.
However, Magistrate Kekura said he will only grant bail to the accused after listening to the evidence. He remanded the accused in custody and adjourned the matter to the 12th July 2021.