CID Concludes Investigation into Alleged Diamond Theft in Kono District

Personnel at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown have wrapped up their investigation into an alleged conspiracy to commit a felony in Peyima, Kamara Chiefdom, Kono district. The case revolves around the theft of a stone suspected to be a diamond.

The suspects in question, Sheku Kabba (alias ID Card), Sahr Lebbie, and Tamba Lebbie, are accused of stealing the stone from a mining plot purportedly owned by Benjamin Mere, a British national, in May 2024. Although initially alleged to weigh 75 carats, the National Minerals Agency (NMA) confirmed the stone’s actual weight to be 20.28 carats.

The CID has released the three suspects on bail pending further legal proceedings. The investigation revealed that the stone was purchased and duly registered by Jihad Basma, a registered diamond dealer and exporter in Kono district. Basma confirmed to the CID that he had legally acquired and recorded the 20.28 carat diamond.

The case file has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. Reports suggest that the Director General of the Petroleum Directorate, Mr. Foday Mansaray, and the Deputy Minister of Sports, Kai Lawrence Mbayo, are also involved in the diamond dispute.

As the investigation continues, the CID remains focused on uncovering all aspects of the case to ensure justice is served.

Source: Global Times Newspaper

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2024-07-16 14:38:17

This is not true for 75carats 20 is true love for black is too small in sierra Leone but this is our land
| 2024-07-15 23:14:56

Oooo kono with time the white own diamond in our land . the man is not a good man to work with , please ask the white man for anny document which make him as a diamond onwer of the stone, no 75, but 20 is the right one please sorry for the poor boys pa government
| 2024-07-14 17:23:36

The innocent have nothing to fear, we stand against any form of violence against our black people this is 24 century we can't seat and watch a white man doing such nonsense in our land ooh so to end this madness let the poor breath
| 2024-07-12 11:25:06

How can Benjamin mere, a British born owned diamond in Sierra Leone when this isn't Britain. Sounds weird. Just leave the poor people alone. Infact he should be further investigated, cos he claimed 75 carats when a actually it's 20.28 carat
Elijah Tamba Fayiah, Sr. | 2024-07-12 10:48:21

Mmmmmm! I think you should now rename the country from Sierra Leone to Sierriamond Saga between Nationals and Foriegners.
| 2024-07-12 10:27:04

When diamond liddown in the hands of dealers it is finished
mohamedj27 | 2024-07-12 10:06:53

Justice pan diamond case. I don't think there has ever been Justice in diamond, since 1930. When the British told our people not to touch any piece of diamond. Ar think say diamond don really hard to find these days. When diamonds were abundant, during the 60s 70s, a 20carate diamond case wouldn't leave kono. It can be settled, there thru diamond area law.