By Fatima Kpaka
An Italian national, Alfio Siracusa, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, told Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 that the gold sold to him by Admire Frances Bio and her husband, Dauda Jalloh, was fake.
Siracusa, speaking through interpreter Victor Mercy during cross‑examination by lead defense counsel Melrone Nicole Wilson, made the claim in the ongoing $210,000 gold fraud case against the two defendants.
Admire Bio and Dauda Jalloh are facing an eleven‑count indictment, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to rob, money laundering, forgery, unlawful mineral trading, and tax evasion. Prosecutors allege that between 10 and 14 August 2025, the pair conspired with unknown persons to defraud Siracusa and fellow complainant Fanni Giuseppe by falsely presenting themselves as legitimate gold traders under GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited.
The indictment further states that the accused obtained $110,000 and $15,000 purportedly for export taxes on three kilograms of gold, and later conspired to rob Siracusa of the same gold at Milton Margai College Drive, Goderich.
Testifying, Siracusa confirmed he reported the matter to police on 18 August 2025, the day of the alleged robbery. He insisted he had also informed police about the fake gold, despite defense counsel’s suggestion otherwise. He recounted that investigators told him it was impossible to purchase 23‑carat gold for $70,000 and noted the package lacked the official government stamp.
Siracusa admitted he never tested the gold himself, saying he trusted the Lebanese businessman who introduced him to the defendants. He explained that he initially believed the gold was genuine because he was instructed not to open the package, which was later taken from him during an ambush involving about eight attackers.
He further testified that Dauda Jalloh was present during most of the transactions, often visiting him at Lagoonda with a man identified as “Slim.” He added that former Lagoonda manager “Buddy” had introduced him to the defendants but failed to accompany him on the night of the collection.
Defense counsel Wilson suggested Siracusa had not been robbed but stopped at a police checkpoint, a claim he firmly denied, stating police would not have seized all his belongings at a routine stop.
In re‑examination by state counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay, Siracusa said he made three to four statements to police regarding the matter.
The case was adjourned to August 3, 2026 for further proceedings.