By Mamajah Jalloh
Sheku Kabba alias ID Card a forty-nine years old miner, twenty-five years old Tamba Lebbie a miner, twenty-eight years old Sahr Lebbie a miner and fifty-four years old Jehad Basma, a business man and British national made their another appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on three count charges to wit Conspiracy contrary to law, Fraudulent Embezzlement contrary to section 17 (1) (b) of the Larceny Act 1916 and Receiving stolen goods contrary to section 33 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence on a date unknown between 20 to 26 May 2024 in Moryonfeh, Kamara Chiefdom in Kono district the Eastern province in Freetown with intent to defraud conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit Embezzlement.
Count two further stated that the 1st, 2nd and third accused persons on the above date and place Fraudulently embezzled one piece of Diamond weighed two hundred and sixty four carats of an estimated value of Forty-Two million Two Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars, equivalent to One Billion, Three million and Two Hundred Thousand Leones (Le1, 003,200,000) property of Benjamin Merer.
Count three further stated that on the same date and place the fourth accused person did receive one piece of diamond weighed two hundred and sixty-four carats of an estimated value of Fort-Two million Two Hundred and Forty Thousand United States Dollars equivalent to One billion, Three million and Two Hundred Thousand Leones (Le1, 003,200,000) property of Benjamin Merer, knowing same to have been stolen.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons they pleaded not guilty.
The State prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq led in prosecution witness number four a politician and he is the Deputy Minister of Sport, Kai Lawrence Bayoh resides at #25 Mina Drive, Juba West End of Freetown, the witness said he came to know the complainant through Aiah Lebbie and the 1st accused person is a representative of the complainant at his mining site, the 2nd accused person is a representative of the Aiah Lebbie at the mines field and the 3rd accused person is a diamond dealer he recall sometime in May 2024 something transfer between herself and the accused persons on the above date the complainant called and gave him information about diamond theft upon the information he called and informed Aiah Lebbie the witness said one evening the 1st and 2nd accused persons met him at home and the 1st accused told him that they were there to asked him to support them on their case the 1st accused told him that he want him to declare that the licence for the mining at the site was given to him and not Aiah Lebbie and said he had thirty nine pieces of diamonds with the complainant in the presence of some people the 1st accused spoke to Councillor Moquendor that he wanted to speak in camera the witness said himself and the accused went to his kitchen and the 1st accused told him that there is a huge diamond available the witness said he ask for it the 1st accused said it is with the third accused person and it was the third accused person brother collected the diamond and brought it to Freetown he also said the said man promised the second accused that he is going to give him a vehicle the witness said the third accused said because of the case he had given the diamond to one Hisham Mackey and promised that he will make him see the diamond on the following day the following day at about 12:00pm he call him and told him that the deal had collapsed and he was no longer going to him upon that he went to the Criminal Investigation Department Cid headquarters Pademba Road Freetown and made statement he conclude. The witness was cross examined by Jessie M. Jengo Esq. Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter to the 2 October 2024. Bail continued for all the accused persons.
