Admire Bio Gold Scam Case Committed to High Court, Bail maintained

Admire Bio Gold Scam Case Committed to High Court, Bail maintained

In a significant judicial development, Magistrate Mustapha Braima-Jah has committed the high-profile gold scam case involving Admire Bio and her husband to the High Court for trial. The magistrate also ruled that the bail conditions previously granted to the accused will remain in place as the case advances to the higher jurisdiction.

The defendants face an 11-count joint indictment stemming from alleged gold transactions exceeding US$335,000. The charges include conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, receiving money via a forged receipt, uttering a forged document, unlicensed mineral sales, and tax evasion.

The committal follows the dismissal of a no-case submission submitted by lead defense counsel M.C. Wilson. The defense argued that the prosecution's evidence was insufficient to warrant a trial and requested an immediate dismissal of all charges.

Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay opposed the defense application, arguing that the evidence presented established a clear prima facie case requiring a full trial in the High Court.

According to the prosecution, the complainants—Italian nationals—were defrauded during transactions involving the alleged sale of gold priced at US$70,000 per kilogram. The state highlighted discrepancies in the documentation and operational licensing of GAN Mineral SL Ltd, the entity linked to the dealings, as well as irregularities encountered when the complainants attempted to withdraw funds at Rokel Commercial Bank.

The court heard that the complainants originally intended to purchase diamonds before being persuaded to buy gold by the second accused, Alhaji Jalloh. This led to a meeting at the couple's residence in Mile 12, where details of the proposed gold transaction were discussed.

Prosecution evidence further indicated that the accused instructed the buyers not to break the seal on the gold, an act the state contends points to fraudulent intent.

Following submissions from both parties, Magistrate Braima-Jah determined that the gravity of the allegations and the nature of the evidence warranted transferring the matter to the High Court, while maintaining the defendants' bail status.

Given the substantial sum involved and the prominent figures named in the indictment, the proceedings have drawn considerable public attention. 

The trial will formally resume in the High Court, where the defendants will present their defense.