High Court Grants Travel Permission in 264-Carat Diamond Embezzlement Case

The High Court of Sierra Leone, presided over by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, has granted permission to British national Jihad Basma and three co-defendants to travel outside the jurisdiction. The permission was granted despite serious allegations that the men embezzled a 264-carat diamond, valued at approximately $42.24 million (equivalent to 1,003,200,000 Leones).

The alleged incident is reported to have taken place between May 20 and 26, 2024, in Moryonfeh Village, Kono District.

The accused individuals include Sheku Kabba, known as “ID Card,” a 49-year-old miner; Tamba Lebbie, a 25-year-old miner; Sahr Lebbie, a 28-year-old miner; and Jihad Basma, a 54-year-old businessman.

They are accused of conspiring to defraud Benjamin Merer while knowingly possessing the stolen diamond.

Initially, the defendants were charged in relation to a smaller 75-carat diamond, but those charges were later withdrawn by the prosecution, who presented new allegations concerning the larger diamond.

During the proceedings, defense attorney Jessie M. Jengo Esq. filed a notice of motion on February 11, 2025, requesting orders for Basma to travel for medical reasons.

In support of this request, affidavits and various exhibits were presented, including a case file, a prior court order, and medical reports.

State prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay, Esq. indicated that he did not oppose the defense application, noting that the case is still pending in magistrate court before Magistrate Santigie Bangura.

Justice Stevens issued several key orders following the hearing:

The Master and Registrar are to release the travel documents to the accused/applicants.

The accused/applicants are now permitted to travel from Freetown to Kono and other locations while awaiting the preliminary investigation.

The accused/applicants are not required to sign an attendance roster at the Master and Registrar's office.

Jihad Basma has been granted permission to travel out of Sierra Leone on medical grounds for a duration of two months.

Upon their return, the accused/applicants must sign a monthly roster with the Registrar of the Court, commencing the first Friday of every month.

Liberty to apply remains.

The legal proceedings continue as the High Court oversees this high-profile case.