In a high-profile diamond theft case, a British national and three other individuals were granted bail during a court session on August 7, 2024. The bail was set at 1 billion Leones for each of the accused by Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.

The accused include Jihad Basma, a 54-year-old British businessman, along with Sheku Kobba, 49, known as ‘ID Card’, and Tamba Lebbie, 28, both miners. They face charges of conspiracy to defraud, embezzlement, and receiving stolen goods. The charges stem from allegations of the embezzlement of a 75-carat diamond that belonged to Benjamin Meter, with the alleged crimes occurring between May 20 and May 26, 2024, in Woryonteh Village, Kamara Chiefdom, Kono District.

According to the prosecution, Kobba and Lebbie are accused of embezzling the diamond, while Basma is alleged to have received the stolen gem knowingly. During the court session, State Prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay requested an adjournment to complete the formal arraignment process. Defence attorney Jessie M. Jengo, who represented the accused, petitioned for bail, presenting a medical report for Basma and assuring the court of the accused’s local residency and reliable sureties.

Magistrate Bangura granted bail with stringent conditions: each accused must provide two sureties, with the sureties required to have assets or business interests equivalent to the bail amount. They must also submit bank statements, property title deeds, and utility bills.

The bail decision is pending final approval from the Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone. The case is set to resume on August 14, 2024.