Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a significant legal development, the High Court of Sierra Leone, under the jurisdiction of Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, has authorized British national Jihad Basma and his co-defendants to travel abroad, despite facing serious charges related to the embezzlement of a 264-carat diamond valued at approximately $42.24 million.
The allegations date back to May 2024 in Moryonfeh Village, Kono District, renowned for its diamond reserves. Basma, a 54-year-old businessman, is accused alongside 49-year-old miner Sheku Kabba (alias “ID Card”) and two other miners, 25-year-old Tamba Lebbie and 28-year-old Sahr Lebbie. They are charged with conspiring to defraud Benjamin Merer and allegedly possessing the stolen high-value diamond. Initially, the charges pertained to a 75-carat diamond, but prosecutors later escalated the case to involve the larger 264-carat stone.
On February 11, 2025, defense attorney Jessie M. Jengo submitted a motion requesting Basma’s permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, supported by relevant medical documentation.
State prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay did not oppose the application, acknowledging that the case remains under preliminary investigation by Magistrate Santigie Bangura. Consequently, Justice Stevens issued several key orders:
– Return of Travel Documents: The court directed the Master and Registrar to return the defendants’ travel documents, permitting movement between Freetown, Kono, and other locations during the ongoing investigation.
– Medical Leave: Basma received authorization to leave Sierra Leone for two months on medical grounds, substantiated by the submitted medical records.
– Attendance Requirements: The defendants are exempted from signing the attendance roster at the Master and Registrar’s office, a standard procedure for individuals with pending legal cases.
– Post-Return Reporting: Upon their return, Basma and his co-defendants are mandated to sign a monthly attendance roster with the Court Registrar, commencing on the first Friday of every month.
This court decision introduces a new dimension to the high-profile diamond embezzlement case. Basma’s temporary departure has intensified public discourse regarding the judicial process and the case’s trajectory. The allowance for the accused to travel abroad while facing severe charges has sparked discussions about legal precedents and the balance between defendants’ rights and judicial integrity in Sierra Leone.
