By Jeneba Conteh
In a case that has captured public attention, two men, Ibrahim Mustapha Jabbie, 24, and Abdul Barrie, 33, were brought before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 4 in Freetown on serious charges related to financial fraud and forgery. The duo faces a total of five counts, which include conspiracy to defraud, possession of forged documents, possession of forgery tools, and obtaining money under pretenses.
The allegations against Jabbie and Barrie stem from events that occurred between January 1 and February 28, 2025, in Freetown. They are accused of conspiring to defraud a victim, Amidu Barrie, out of 1,226,000 Leones by promising to double his investment. The prosecution’s case is further bolstered by a second count, which claims that on May 2, 2025, the accused were found in possession of papers designed to resemble U.S. banknotes without any legal authority.
In addition to these charges, the indictment states that the men also possessed various tools used for forgery, including chemicals, syringes, knives, and candles, all of which are typically employed in the counterfeiting process. The prosecution alleges that the accused obtained 500,000 Leones from another victim, Amidu Jalloh, on January 22, 2025, under the pretense that they could double the money. On February 7, 2025, they allegedly swindled Jalloh out of an additional 30,000 U.S. dollars, equivalent to 726,000 Leones, using similar deceitful claims.
During the court proceedings, neither of the accused entered a plea when the charges were read. The prosecution, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan M. S. Bull, presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the complainant, Amidu Jalloh. Jalloh explained how he was lured into a fraudulent business deal by Barrie, who suggested that they could purchase goods in Guinea with his money. However, Jalloh later discovered that the accused intended to produce counterfeit currency. After a series of negotiations, he handed over $30,000 to the pair, who subsequently vanished with the money, prompting him to report the incident to law enforcement.
Following an investigation, the police apprehended the accused, and a search of a location on Wilkinson Road revealed counterfeit currency samples. Jabbie was found at the premises where the counterfeit materials were stored, and Barrie identified him to the authorities. Both men provided statements to the police regarding their involvement.
Currently, the accused remains in custody, as Magistrate Samura denied bail due to the gravity of the charges. The case has been adjourned to June 4, 2025, for further legal proceedings.
