Two Businessmen Remanded Over Alleged $130,000 Gold Scam

Two businessmen appeared before the Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Friday facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses in connection with a high-value fraudulent gold scheme.

The defendants, Isaac Jeptha Mamatta, 25, and Ibrahim Al-wahhab Bah, are accused of defrauding victim Paul Joseph Francis of $130,000 USD and SLE 20,000 in cash.

According to police prosecution records, the alleged incident took place in December 2025 in the Metchem neighborhood of Goderich, Freetown. Prosecutors allege that Mamatta and Bah, acting alongside accomplices who remain at large, falsely represented that they had three kilograms of gold available for sale and export to Dubai.

Investigating authorities contend that the transaction was entirely fictitious and designed to unlawfully extract funds from the buyer.

During Friday's session, Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah presided over the committal proceedings. Because the matter is currently in preliminary investigation, no formal plea was entered by either defendant.

Lead prosecutor Assistant Commissioner of Police Juan M.S. Bull requested a brief adjournment to allow the state to finalize witness preparations and evidence submissions.

Magistrate Jah granted the adjournment, extending bail for both defendants while ordering the case to resume on September 1, 2026. Police investigations into the broader network behind the scam remain active.