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Admire Frances Bio Jalloh, niece of President Julius Maada Bio, and her husband Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy, are standing trial on eleven criminal counts including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, and tax evasion, according to court documents.
The charges stem from an alleged gold fraud scheme involving two Italian businessmen between 10 and 14 August 2025 at No. 1 DAJ Drive, Mile 13, Freetown.
The full indictment against the defendants includes:
Conspiracy to Defraud: Allegedly conspiring to defraud Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa of US$210,000 by falsely claiming they operated a genuine gold business .
Obtaining Money by False Pretences (Count 1): Fraudulently obtaining US$100,000 by claiming their company, GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, was licensed to sell three kilograms of gold .
Obtaining Money by False Pretences (Count 2): Obtaining an additional US$110,000 from the same complainants through similar false representations .
Obtaining Money by False Pretences (Count 3): Collecting US$15,000 under the pretence of paying export taxes for the gold .
Conspiracy to Rob: Allegedly conspiring with others unknown on 13 August 2025 at Milton Margai College Drive, Goderich, to rob the complainants of three kilograms of gold valued at US$210,000 .
Money Laundering (Count 1): Possessing US$100,000 knowing the money to have been derived from unlawful activities .
Money Laundering (Count 2): Possessing US$110,000 knowing the money to have been derived from unlawful activities .
Receiving Money on a Forged Document: Receiving US$210,000 through a forged receipt purportedly issued by GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited .
Uttering a Forged Document: Uttering a forged payment invoice of GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited .
Selling Minerals Without Legal Permission: Selling three kilograms of gold without lawful authority .
Tax Evasion: Wilfully evading the payment of income tax arising from the transaction conducted under the business name GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited.
During the most recent hearing, defence counsel Melron Nicole Wilson informed the court that the first defendant was absent because she was preparing for the funeral rites of her mother, who died on Friday after attending court. He added that her sureties were present in compliance with bail conditions.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay extended condolences to the defendant but objected to defence counsel’s use of the word “busy” to explain her absence, describing the term as inappropriate before the court.
The prosecution informed the court it had brought its principal witness ready to testify and urged Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah to direct the sureties to ensure the defendant’s attendance at the next hearing. The prosecutor noted that preliminary investigation is required by law to be completed within twenty-eight days and one week had already elapsed.
Magistrate Jah granted the adjournment, noting that the defendant’s bereavement constituted a reasonable cause for absence, and ordered the matter to resume on 16 July 2026.
The couple was previously granted bail in the sum of US$500,000 each, with two sureties in like amount, requiring one surety to provide a property title valued at US$500,000 and the defendants to deposit conveyance property worth US$200,000. They must also surrender their travel documents and report to court three times weekly until the conclusion of proceedings.
