Court Grants Bail to 57-Year-Old Man in $6,400 Gold Fraud Case

Court Grants Bail to 57-Year-Old Man in $6,400 Gold Fraud Case

Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 has granted bail to Foday Saidu Fofanah, a 57-year-old resident, following allegations of his involvement in a gold-related fraud scheme. Fofanah appeared in court to face charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses in a matter involving a foreign national.

The defendant faces two counts under the laws of Sierra Leone: conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916. The charges stem from an incident allegedly occurring between April 10 and April 17, 2026, at the Royal Hotel in Makeni City.

Court documents specify that Fofanah allegedly conspired with unidentified individuals to defraud Onur Vural Simsir of $6,400 USD, which is equivalent to approximately 152,320 Leones. The prosecution contends that the defendant obtained the funds by falsely claiming to have gold for sale, an assertion the state maintains was known to be false at the time of the transaction.

During the proceedings, no plea was entered by the defendant as the case remains at the committal stage. This preliminary phase is utilized to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial. Lead prosecutor Chief Superintendent of Police Tommy B. Zizer informed the court that witness statements have been served to the defense counsel to facilitate the upcoming hearings.

Defense counsel A. Maddie, Esq., moved for a bail application citing Section 76C of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024. Magistrate Jah subsequently granted bail set at 200,000 Leones, requiring two sureties of equal value. The sureties must be residents of Sierra Leone, provide valid identification, and demonstrate proof of employment or business ownership through a reputable organization.

The matter has been adjourned until June 23, 2026. The court reiterated the necessity of strict adherence to the bail conditions and emphasized the commitment to due process as the legal investigation continues.