Businessman Accused of $57,750 Gold Fraud Granted Bail in Freetown Court

Osman Bayoh, 39, a businessman accused of gold fraud involving over $57,750, was granted bail after his first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8. The court ordered his release under specific conditions while the case proceeds.

Bayoh faces three serious charges: conspiracy contrary to law; obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916; and obtaining goods by false pretences under the same section.

The prosecution alleges that between August 1 and September 18, 2025, in Freetown, Bayoh conspired with unknown persons to commit fraud.

Count Two states that on the same dates and location, Bayoh obtained a total of $57,750 (equivalent to 1,368,675 Leones) from King Nicholas Ogomuo by falsely claiming to possess five kilograms of gold for sale and promising to facilitate its export to Nigeria, knowing this to be false.

Count Three alleges that on August 31, 2025, at Phagibs Inn Hotel in Adonkia, Goderich, Freetown, Bayoh attempted to defraud Ogomuo of an iPhone 15 Pro Max and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, valued at 54,510 Leones, again by falsely promising payment after selling the gold.

When the charges were read, the defendant did not enter a plea, as the matter is still under preliminary investigation. The prosecution, represented by Inspector Aminata Korio, requested a short adjournment to prepare witnesses.

The defendant’s counsel, M.C. Nicol-Wilson, renewed an earlier application for bail. Magistrate Samura granted bail in the sum of 1,368,000 Leones, with two sureties of like amount. The sureties are required to produce title deeds reflecting the sum, verified by the Deputy Registrar, or alternatively, hold bank accounts with the exact amount frozen pending investigation. If verification fails, the matter will be referred accordingly.

The case has been adjourned to November 10, 2025.