Nigerian National Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay has been arrested by Inspector Ibrahim Bangura on Monday 7th April 2025 testify in an open court before Magistrate Santigie Bangura.

The accused Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay and other persons who are on the had been accused to have defrauded complainant Nwaokoro the sum of forty eight thousand dollars ($48,000) at the Nexus Lodge hotel at Hill Station in Freetown that they have two kilograms of gold bar for sale.

Essay stands trial before the court on two count charges of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Causing Money to be paid to another by means of fraud as contrary to section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

The charge sheet indicated that the accused on a date between 1st and the 19th March, 2025, at Nexus Lodge hotel, Hill Station in Freetown, conspired with Simeon Sankoh and other persons to commit an offense.

The indictment further that Essay on the same day and place, fraudulently caused Destiny Mentor Nwaokoro to pay the sum of forty-eight thousand united States dollars ($48,000) equivalent to one million, one hundred and fifty two thousand new leones (NLe 1,152,000.00) to Simeon Sankoh and Alpha who falsely pretended that they had two (2) kilograms of gold bar knowing same to be false.

In his testimony, the witness Inspector

Ibrahim Bangura recognized the complainant Nwaokoro and also the accused Mr Essay.

He recalled on

Wednesday 19 March 2025, adding that he was on duty at CID HQ when a fraud matter was reported to a team of investigators and he was the lead investigators in the matter.

Witness Bangura said he had obtained statements from the complainant and his witnesses.

Inspector Bangura said on Friday 21 March 2025, him and DPC 13821 A.A proceeded to Basha at Wilkinson road in Freetown where the accused was arrested and was brought to the CID HQ  where voluntary caution statements were obtained from him done by the judges’ rules.

The voluntary caution statements of the accused’s essay was tendered before the court and was mark as exhibit A1- 75.

The witness further that on Wednesday 26 March 2025, he charged accused Essay with the offenses of conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid to another by means of fraud.

The charge statements of accused Essay were also tender before the court.

During cross examination by defense counsel K. Turay, witness Bangura said he was the one who investigated the matter to the end and further told the court that during investigation certain names were mentioned it to him by the accused person.

He further said that those names include: Simeon sankoh, Anthony, Alpha a worker at the National Mineral Agency , Allieu and David.

He was asked by defense counsel Turay if he extended to give an invitation to the names he mentioned.

And he responded that he had tried to call them on their cell phones but could not reach them through, adding that they were all on the Run at the time.

He was also asked by defense counsel Turay if the complainant had met the accused person and others physically.

He complainant said he met them physically even though he is partially blind.

Witness Bangura answering questions and further said that during investigation the accused denied the allegation and further stated that he didn’t receive any money from the complainant.

He further said he was told during investigation that the transactions took place at Nexus Lodge hotel at Hill station but he did not go to the hotel to investigate that aspects of the deal because the complainant was sick and was hospitalized later due to the shock.

Magistrate Bangura said defense counsel would continue his cross examination at the next adjourned dates.

Defense counsel made bail application pursuant to section 79(2)(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act no.32 of 1965.

He further said that even though the accused is a Nigerian but has sureties who are Sierra Leoneans.

He said the accused is a Nigerian but married to Sierra Leonean woman, adding that his client will not jump bail.

The prosecutor CPS Joan Bull objected to bail on the ground that the offense charge against the accused person is a very serious on.

Magistrate Bangura refused bail and the matter comes up on the 15th April 2025 for continuation.