By SKS
On Friday 3rd July, 2026, Magistrate Mustapha Braima-Jah of the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 has granted bail of USD 500,000 to Admire Frances Bio, who is facing serious criminal charges relating to an alleged gold scam involving the theft of approximately USD 210,000.
The court ordered that the surety must produce a valid title deed of property valued at USD 500,000 or its equivalent in Leones. Sureties are required to be ordinarily resident in Sierra Leone. The defendant, a suspected gold dealer and niece of President Bio, was arraigned today on multiple charges including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, forgery, illegal gold trading, and tax evasion. The case was adjourned to July 10, 2026, for further proceedings.
Magistrate Braima-Jah presided over the hearing and emphasized that the bail conditions were granted based on the substantial surety provided and the seriousness of the allegations against her. According to the charges, between August 10 and August 14, 2025, at No. 1 DAI Drive, Mile 13, Freetown Peninsula, the accused and her co-accused Dauda Jalloh, alias Alhaji Dausy, conspired with unknown individuals to defraud victims Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa of USD 210,000.
The defendants allegedly falsely claimed to operate a legitimate gold trading business called GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited and convinced the victims they could sell three kilograms of gold and pay associated export taxes, leading to the theft of the funds. The indictment further accuses the suspects of multiple related offenses, including obtaining money through false pretences, conspiracy to commit robbery, money laundering, and forgery.
It is alleged that they received and uttered forged receipts and documents during the course of their dealings. Authorities also accuse them of selling gold illegally without proper licensing and evading taxes under Sierra Leone law. These activities are believed to undermine Sierra Leone’s mineral industry and threaten national revenue, prompting rigorous investigation by law enforcement agencies. The case remains ongoing, with further hearings scheduled for July 9th 2026, to determine the next legal steps against the accused.
