No Hiding Place for Jihad Basma & Others

By TSL Court Reporter

A court ruling has resulted in three individuals, including a British businessman, continuing their remand at the Male Correctional Center following the seizure of their bail last week.

The defendants—Jihad Basma, a British national, Sheku Kobba, and Tamba Lebbie—are facing charges of conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, and receiving stolen goods related to the alleged theft of a 75-carat diamond. They appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.

Detective Unisa Mohamed Kamara, a witness in the case, provided testimony detailing the investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Freetown. The alleged offenses occurred between May 20 and May 26, 2024, in Woryonteh Village, Kono District, where the accused are said to have conspired to embezzle a diamond belonging to Benjamin Meter.

During his testimony, Detective Kamara explained that he received a case file from Motema Police Station, which included statements from the accused. He noted that on June 7, 2024, he recorded additional statements from Basma and Lebbie, who confirmed their involvement in the alleged crime.

Kamara also revealed that the National Mineral Agency had verified a diamond weighing 20.28 carats, which was produced during the investigation. The state prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay, requested the court to order the police to retain custody of the diamond as evidence.

Defense counsel Jessie M. Jengo objected, arguing that once the police have submitted an exhibit, it should be held by the court for safekeeping. He expressed concerns about the prosecution’s slow progress in the case.

In response, Magistrate Bangura ruled that the diamond should remain in police custody, stating it was prudent for the police to safeguard it. The court then adjourned the matter until Wednesday, October 23, 2024, as the three accused were returned to remand.