In a striking example of alleged deception, Nigerian national Ebude Chukwu Augustine Essay appeared in court and was charged with conspiracy to defraud and engage in fraudulent transactions. The charges stem from allegations that he duped a complainant into paying a whopping $48,000 for counterfeit gold bars.
On April 15, 2025, Magistrate Santigie Bangura presided over the proceedings in Pademba Road Court No. 2. Essay faces two serious charges: conspiracy to defraud and causing money to be paid through fraudulent means. According to the police charge sheet, the alleged fraudulent activities took place between March 1 and March 19, 2025, at Imatt Stanford Lodge in Hill Station, where Essay allegedly conspired with an accomplice, Simeon Sankoh, and other unidentified individuals to defraud the complainant.
The second charge alleges that during the same timeframe, Essay allegedly forced the complainant, Destiny Mentor Nwaokoro, to hand over $48,000 (approximately Le 1,152,000) to Sankoh and another individual, Alpha, under the pretence that they possessed two kilograms of genuine gold bars.
When the charges were formally presented, Essay declined to enter a plea. The prosecution called on Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, who introduced Victoria Peters as a key witness. Peters, associated with the Family Support Unit (FSU) at Mena Police Station in Makeni, provided insight into her relationship with both the complainant and the accused. She described Essay as Nwaokoro’s manager, in charge of overseeing various business dealings.
Peters explained that the complainant’s involvement in gold investment was due to connections made through his Sierra Leonean wife, which eventually led to a scam. Following the fraudulent transaction, Essay allegedly suggested starting a toilet business with a local partner, which the complainant declined because he felt misled.
The witness described a tense incident in which Essay allegedly threatened her by claiming he would keep the complainant stranded in Africa. Peters also revealed that she discovered Essay had withdrawn money from the complainant’s credit card and later discovered his passport among the complainant’s belongings. After seizing the passport for safety, she moved the complainant to a different hotel to protect him. Following this, Essay reportedly contacted Peters, demanding the return of his passport and threatening the complainant with potential allegations regarding its seizure, prompting a report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
A. Turay, the defence attorney, cross-examined Peters after she testified. While the accused remains on bail. The case is still unfolding, drawing public attention to the serious consequences of fraud and deception in business.
