By: Audrey Raymonda John
A Nigerian national, Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay, was arrested on Monday, April 7, 2025, by Inspector Ibrahim Bangura and charged with defrauding the complainant, Destiny Mentor Nwaokoro, of $48,000 at the Nexus Lodge Hotel in Hill Station, Freetown. The accused stands trial before Magistrate Santigie Bangura on two counts: Conspiracy to Defraud, contrary to law, and Causing Money to Be Paid to Another by Means of Fraud, in violation of Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged incident occurred between March 1 and March 19, 2025, at the Nexus Lodge Hotel, Hill Station. During this period, Essay conspired with Simeon Sankoh and other individuals, who are currently on the run, to defraud Nwaokoro. The defendants falsely claimed to have two kilograms of gold bars for sale, leading Nwaokoro to pay $48,000 (equivalent to NLe 1,152,000) to Sankoh and Alpha, a worker at the National Mineral Agency, knowing that the gold bars did not exist.
In his testimony, Inspector Bangura, the lead investigator in the case, confirmed his involvement in the investigation and recalled that on March 19, 2025, he received a report of the fraud. Bangura stated that he interviewed Nwaokoro and other witnesses and proceeded with the investigation. On March 21, 2025, Bangura, along with DPC 13821 A.A, arrested the accused at Basha, Wilkinson Road, Freetown. He was subsequently brought to the CID Headquarters, where voluntary caution statements were obtained from him in accordance with legal procedures. These statements were presented as evidence in court and marked as Exhibit A1-75.
On March 26, 2025, Essay was formally charged with conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid to another by means of fraud. His charge statements were also tendered before the court.
During cross-examination by defense counsel K. Turay, Inspector Bangura revealed that during the investigation, several names were mentioned by the accused, including Simeon Sankoh, Anthony, Alpha, Allieu, and David. When asked if he had contacted these individuals, Bangura confirmed that he attempted to reach them by phone but was unsuccessful, indicating that they are all currently on the run. The defense further questioned whether Nwaokoro had met the accused and others in person. Bangura confirmed that Nwaokoro had met them physically, despite being partially blind.
Bangura also stated that the accused denied the allegations during questioning, claiming he had not received any money from Nwaokoro. The investigator acknowledged that while the alleged transactions took place at the Nexus Lodge Hotel, he did not visit the hotel to investigate further, as the complainant was hospitalized due to shock.
At this point, Magistrate Santigie Bangura adjourned the case, allowing defense counsel to continue cross-examining the witness at the next hearing.
The defense applied for bail under Section 79(2)(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965. Counsel argued that although the accused is Nigerian, he has Sierra Leonean sureties and is married to a Sierra Leonean woman, promising he would not flee. However, prosecutor CPS Joan Bull objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the suspect’s uncertain address. Magistrate Bangura rejected the bail application, and the case was adjourned to April 15, 2025, for further proceedings.