The High Court of Sierra Leone has granted British national Jihad Basma, one of four individuals accused of embezzling a 264-carat diamond, permission to leave the country for medical reasons. Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens issued the ruling following a notice of motion filed on February 11, 2025.
Basma, along with Sheku Kabba (alias “ID Card”), Tamba Lebbie, and Sahr Lebbie, faces charges of conspiracy and fraudulent embezzlement related to the high-value diamond, estimated at $42.24 million USD (1,003,200,000 Leones). The alleged incident took place between May 20–26, 2024, in Moryonfeh Village, Kamara 1 Chiefdom, Kono District. Prosecutors claim the accused conspired to defraud Benjamin Merer of the diamond, despite knowing it had been stolen.
Initially, the case involved a 75-carat diamond, but those charges were withdrawn and replaced with the current allegations regarding the 264-carat diamond.
Defense counsel Jessie M.J. Jengo presented the motion, supported by an affidavit from Patrick S. Vandy, sworn on January 11, 2025. The affidavit included three exhibits: a case file, a previous court order from August 29, 2024, and medical reports dated July 31, 2024, and August 30, 2023. A supplemental affidavit was also submitted, containing an additional medical report dated February 6, 2025.
State prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay did not oppose the application but expressed concern about the timing of the accused’s return, as the case is still under preliminary investigation at the Magistrate Court.
Justice Stevens ruled as follows: The court ordered the Master and Registrar to release the travel documents of the accused. The accused are permitted to travel within Sierra Leone, including to Kono, while the case is on-going.
They are no longer required to sign an attendance roster at the Master and Registrar’s office.
The 3rd accused, Jihad Basma, is allowed to leave Sierra Leone for medical treatment for two months.
Upon his return, Basma must resume signing a monthly attendance roster with the court’s registrar on the first Friday of every month.
The case remains under investigation at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.2, presided over by Magistrate Santigie Bangura.
