Principal Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah has rejected a no-case submission filed by the defence in the alleged US$210,000 gold fraud case involving Admire Frances Bio Jalloh and her husband, Dauda Jalloh, alias Alhaji Dausy.

The ruling means the court has found that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence requiring the accused persons to answer to the allegations against them. The matter has consequently been committed to the High Court for trial.

The case stems from allegations involving two Italian nationals, Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa, who the prosecution claims were allegedly defrauded in a gold transaction in August 2025.

The accused persons are facing an 11-count indictment, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to commit robbery, money laundering, receiving money on a forged document, uttering a forged document, selling minerals without lawful authority and tax evasion.

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According to the prosecution’s case, the accused allegedly represented that they operated GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, a legitimate and licensed gold-trading company capable of supplying three kilograms of gold.

The prosecution alleges that the complainants paid US$100,000 and a further US$110,000 in connection with the purported gold transaction. An additional US$15,000 was allegedly paid for export taxes.

Investigators later examined the company details and reportedly found discrepancies concerning the address associated with GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited. The prosecution also told the court that the National Minerals Agency was contacted to verify the company’s licensing status.

During the preliminary proceedings, prosecution witnesses gave evidence concerning the alleged transaction and events surrounding it.

One of the key witnesses, Ibrahim Sesay, a driver attached to the complainants, testified about transporting the Italian businessmen and recounted an incident in which their vehicle was allegedly intercepted by individuals dressed in military and police-style uniforms. The defence subsequently cross-examined him on his evidence.

The court also heard testimony from Italian businessman Alfio Siracusa, who alleged that he was ambushed by about eight men shortly after collecting a package connected to the disputed gold transaction.

Siracusa told the court that he did not personally test the gold but said his suspicion that it was fake arose after discussions with a Lebanese businessman who had introduced him to the accused and from information he said he received from police officers. He also testified that the package allegedly lacked an official Government of Sierra Leone stamp.

The prosecution subsequently closed its evidence after Inspector Abubakarr Hassan of the Criminal Investigations Department’s Foreign National and Tourism Unit testified about the police investigation.

Inspector Hassan told the court that investigators obtained statements from the complainants, witnesses and the accused persons, and that a receipt allegedly issued to the complainants was tendered in evidence. He also testified that investigators visited an address linked to GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited and reportedly found an incomplete building occupied by a Lebanese-owned shop, while the property owner allegedly said she had no knowledge of the company.

Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s evidence, defence counsel Melron C. Nicole Wilson indicated that the defence would make a no-case submission under Section 113(8) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024.

The defence’s position was effectively rejected by Magistrate Jah, who ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence for the accused persons to answer to the allegations.

The case will now proceed to the High Court, where the accused persons will have the opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.