Admire Bio-Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh were formally arraigned before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court on charges of fraud totaling more than US$400,000. The formal arraignment of Admire Bio-Jalloh and her husband, Dauda Jalloh, took place at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court, marking a significant step in the legal proceedings against them. The prosecution alleges the couple conspired to defraud Italian nationals Alfio Siracusa and Fanni Giuseppe between August 10 and 14, 2025. During this period, the accused allegedly represented themselves as operating a licensed gold trading company, GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited. Complainants reportedly paid over US$400,000 for gold purchases, export taxes, and related transactions, believing they were engaging with a legitimate and authorized mineral trading entity. The substantial sum of money, exceeding US$400,000, was allegedly transferred for these purported transactions. The couple now faces a total of 11 criminal charges, showing the gravity and multifaceted nature of the allegations brought against them.
Specific Criminal Charges Detailed
The charges against Admire Bio-Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh are full, including Conspiracy to defraud, Obtaining money by false pretences, Money laundering, Forgery and uttering forged documents, Unauthorized sale of minerals, and Tax evasion. These specific charges highlight the various criminal activities the prosecution believes the couple engaged in. The indictment alleges the defendants unlawfully sold approximately three kilograms of gold bars without the required legal authorization, bypassing established protocols for mineral sales. The charges indicate that the defendants allegedly retained proceeds from these fraudulent transactions while simultaneously evading applicable taxes, thereby compounding their alleged financial misconduct. The allegations point to a sophisticated scheme involving multiple facets of financial misconduct and misrepresentation concerning mineral sales and financial obligations, impacting both the complainants and the state. The legal framework surrounding these charges aims to address the alleged deception and the financial harm caused by the couple's actions.
Bail Conditions Set
The court granted bail to both Admire Bio-Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh in the sum of US$500,000 each. This condition requires two sureties for each defendant, also in the like amount, meaning each surety must individually guarantee the sum of US$500,000. As part of the stringent bail conditions, one surety for each defendant must provide a property title with a valuation of US$500,000, ensuring substantial collateral. Additionally, the defendants are required to deposit conveyance property worth US$200,000, adding another layer of financial guarantee. Further stipulations include the defendants surrendering their travel documents to the court authorities, a common measure to prevent flight risk. Both Admire Bio-Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh must also report to the court three times weekly as part of their ongoing bail terms, ensuring their continued presence and compliance with the legal process. These conditions reflect the seriousness of the charges and the court's efforts to secure the defendants' appearance in future proceedings.
Legal Proceedings Continue
The legal proceedings against Admire Bio-Jalloh and Dauda Jalloh are set to continue, with the next hearing scheduled to delve deeper into the complex allegations. The matter has been adjourned to July 9, 2026, for further hearing before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah. This adjournment follows the couple's arraignment on 11 criminal charges related to alleged gold fraud, a process that formally brings the charges before the court. The court will resume its examination of the allegations, which include Conspiracy to defraud, Obtaining money by false pretences, and Money laundering, among others. The Italian complainants, Alfio Siracusa and Fanni Giuseppe, accuse the couple of misrepresenting GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited as a licensed gold trading company, thereby inducing the substantial payments. The ongoing legal process will determine the validity of the claims and the defendants' culpability in the alleged scheme, as the prosecution works to present its case and the defense prepares to respond.