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Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens of the Sierra Leone High Court has granted British national Jihad Basma and his co-defendants permission to travel abroad, despite their involvement in an ongoing $42.24 million diamond embezzlement case.
The case stems from allegations that Basma, a 54-year-old businessman, conspired with miner Sheku Kabba (alias “ID Card”) and two others 25-year-old Tamba Lebbie and 28-year-old Sahr Lebbie to defraud Benjamin Merer of a 264-carat diamond in Moryonfeh Village, Kono District. Initially linked to a 75-carat diamond, the case escalated when prosecutors later introduced the larger gemstone as evidence.
On February 11, 2025, Basma’s defense lawyer, Jessie M. Jengo, petitioned the court for his release to travel for medical treatment, submitting supporting medical documentation. Prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay did not oppose the motion, citing the case’s preliminary investigation status under Magistrate Santigie Bangura.
In his ruling, Justice Stevens ordered the following:
Return of Travel Documents: The Master and Registrar must return the defendants’ passports to facilitate movement.
Medical Leave Approval: Basma is permitted to leave Sierra Leone for two months, supported by medical records.
Exemption from Attendance Roster: The accused are temporarily relieved from signing in at the Master and Registrar’s office.
Post-Return Reporting: Upon their return, Basma and his co-defendants must sign a monthly attendance log at the Court Registrar’s office, beginning the first Friday after their arrival.
This decision has sparked public debate about legal precedents and judicial discretion, with critics questioning whether such allowances undermine accountability in high-profile financial crimes. Observers are closely watching how the case unfolds as authorities continue their investigation.
