Alimamy Sesay and Mohamed Thullah have been brought before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No. 1 on three counts of fraud-related offenses.

The charges stem from their alleged sale of fake gold dust to a Spanish businessman, Richard Weka Bobuakasi, who was staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, between March 10th and 18th, 2023.

Bobuakasi claims that Sesay, an employee at Freetown International Airport Lungi, and others conspired to deceive him into paying $30,000 for 811kg of gold dust that they did not possess.

The accused appeared before the magistrate on May 5th, 2023, and were charged with conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, and causing money to be paid to another with intent to defraud.

The charge sheet for Count 1 states that Sesay and Thullah conspired with others unknown to obtain money through false pretenses. Count 2 alleges that Sesay obtained ,000 from Bobuakasi on March 18th, 2023, by falsely claiming to have 811kg of gold dust for sale. (Adipex)

Count 3 accuses Thullah of unlawfully causing Bobuakasi to pay $30,000 to someone claiming to sell gold, knowing that the claim was false.

Both accused were granted bail in the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Leonés each, along with two sureties who must be house owners and provide title deeds for verification by the High Court’s Master and Registrar.

Defense counsel Ahmed Atata Mansaray made the bail application, and the matter has been adjourned until May 22nd, 2023. ASP Ibrahim Mansaray is prosecuting the case.