Pademba Road Court

By Emma Black

Businessman Emmerson Bockarie appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on May 8, 2025, facing charges of defrauding American citizen Isatu Jabbie of $60,000 by falsely claiming to sell quality gold.

Bockarie is charged with two counts: conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses under Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916, police allege that between January 1 and May 24, 2024, in Monrovia, Liberia, Bockarie conspired with unknown persons to deceive Jabbie, securing $60,000 (equivalent to NLe 1,356,000) by pretending to have gold for sale, knowing the claim was false.

Prosecutor deputy superintendent of police Sorie Conteh presented witness Mabinty Sesay, a businesswoman and Jabbie’s elder sister. Sesay testified that she met Bockarie through Jabbie, who instructed her to send money to him. Sesay recalled that between January 1 and May 24, 2024, Bockarie claimed to operate a gold mining company, on Jabbie’s instructions, Sesay sent $200,000 to a number provided by Bockarie, who confirmed receipt. Later, Sesay sent an additional $10,000 for a gold supply that Bockarie never delivered. Sesay reported the matter to the criminal investigation department.

Defense counsel Chernor Kamara cross-examined Sesay and applied for bail. Magistrate Bangura granted bail at NLe 2,000,000 with two sureties, each owning Freetown property valued at half the charged amount, holding bank accounts with equivalent funds, and presenting valid national ID cards showing Freetown addresses. Bail approval is subject to the deputy Assistant Registrar’s review, the case is adjourned to May 21, 2025, for further hearing.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 12th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)