Nigerian Citizen Faces Court Over Alleged $48,000 Gold Fraud Scheme

Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay, a Nigerian citizen, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on April 15, 2025, facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and engaging in fraudulent transactions. He is accused of misleading a complainant into paying $48,000 for fake gold bars.

The defendant is charged with two offenses: conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money through fraudulent means. According to the police charge sheet, between March 1 and March 19, 2025, at Imatt Stanford Lodge in Hill Station, Sierra Leone, Essay allegedly conspired with Simeon Sankoh and other unidentified individuals to defraud the complainant.

During this period, Essay is also accused of fraudulently inducing the complainant, Destiny Mentor Nwaokoro, to transfer $48,000 (equivalent to Le 1,152,000) to Sankoh and Alpha, under the false pretense of possessing two kilograms of gold bars. Essay did not enter a plea at the initial hearing.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh introduced Victoria Peters, a prosecution witness from the Family Support Unit (FSU) at Mena Police Station, Makeni. Peters testified regarding her involvement with both the complainant and the defendant, identifying Essay as the manager for Nwaokoro, responsible for business transactions.

She explained that the complainant's Sierra Leonean wife led to their participation in a supposed gold investment scheme. Peters further testified that following the alleged fraudulent transaction, Essay proposed a toilet business venture, offering a five percent stake to a Sierra Leonean partner.

The complainant declined, suspecting fraud. Peters also recounted an incident where Essay allegedly threatened to prevent the complainant from leaving Africa and another where he attempted to assault her.

Peters reported discovering unauthorized withdrawals made by Essay from the complainant's credit card and found his passport with the complainant. She subsequently relocated the complainant for safety. Essay demanded the return of his passport and threatened to make allegations against the complainant, prompting Peters to file a report with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Defense attorney A. Turay cross-examined the witness. Magistrate Bangura adjourned the case to May 5, 2025, with the defendant's bail continued.