The preliminary investigation into the alleged US$210,000 gold fraud case involving Admire Frances Bio Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy continued before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, with the Prosecution closing its evidence after the testimony of its third witness.
Led in evidence by State Prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, the Third Prosecution Witness, Inspector Abubakarr Hassan, attached to the Foreign National and Tourism Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Pademba Road testified in compliance with Section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.
Inspector Hassan identified both accused persons and recalled that on 15 August 2025, while on duty at the CID, a complaint of conspiracy to commit robbery was made by two Italian nationals. He said the matter was assigned to the Foreign National and Tourism Unit, with officers from the Anti-Fraud Unit joining the investigation.
The witness testified that he obtained statements from the complainants on 15 August 2025. On the same date, he and Inspector Hassan Kargbo obtained a statement from prosecution witness Ibrahim Sesay. He further stated that Inspector Hassan Kargbo and Sergeant 10170 M.A. Kamara obtained a statement from Bahij Moujss, also known as “Buddy,” while Inspector Hassan Kargbo and DPC 12057 Brima Koroma obtained a statement from the first accused, Admire Frances Bio Jalloh.
Inspector Hassan told the court that on 18 August 2025, he obtained a statement from one of the complainants, Alfio Siracusa, who produced a receipt allegedly issued by the accused persons. The receipt was tendered and admitted into evidence as part of the court records. He added that he later obtained additional statements from Siracusa on 10 September and 20 November, 2025.
The witness further testified that he obtained an additional statement from Ibrahim Sesay on 18 October, 2025 while further statements and a caution statement were obtained from Bahij Moujss in October 2025.
He informed the court that on 4 November 2025, he and Detective Constable 12038 M.S. Sesay visited No. 92 Wilkinson Road, Freetown, to verify the address of GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, which appeared on the receipt issued to the complainants. According to him, they discovered that the address was an incomplete building with only the ground floor partly finished and occupied by a Lebanese-owned shop.
Inspector Hassan said that on 19 November, 2025 he obtained a statement from the property’s owner, Madam Ester Finda Dauda, who informed investigators that she had no knowledge of GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited.
During the investigation, he said the police wrote to the National Minerals Agency on 30 October, 2025 to verify the payment records relating to GAN Minerals. He further disclosed that on 19 October 2025, investigators received US$15,000 from Bahij Moujss as a refund of money allegedly paid by the complainants for the purchase of three kilograms of gold.
The witness said the police received a response from the National Minerals Agency on 6 May 2026. Following legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he and Inspector Hosmon J. Musa obtained a charge statement from the first accused, Admire Frances Bio Jalloh, on 11 June 2026.
He 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 lawful license, and tax evasion.
Inspector Hassan further testified that on 17 March 2026, investigators obtained a statement from the second accused, Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy. He said an additional statement was obtained from him on 1 July 2026, during which the second accused submitted a copy of his flight ticket. On the same day, investigators obtained his charge statement.
According to the witness, the second accused was charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, selling minerals without a lawful license, and tax evasion.
At the close of the Prosecution’s case, Defence Counsel, Melron C. Nicole Wilson Esq. informed the court that, in view of all the statements and exhibits tendered by the formal witness, the Defence intends to make a no-case submission pursuant to Section 113(8) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024.
Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah adjourned the matter to 10 August 2026 for the Defence’s no-case submission.