Sierra Leone Football Coach Committed to High Court Over Alleged Le449,000 Canada Visa Fraud

A 50-year-old football coach, Alhaji Umaru Jalloh, has been committed to the High Court for trial over allegations of defrauding three individuals through promises of travel arrangements to Canada and the sale of mattresses. The alleged offences occurred between 1 January and 28 August 2026 in the Western Area of Freetown. Jalloh conspired with other persons unknown to defraud members of the public through false representations, according to the prosecution.

Jalloh is facing four charges, including one count of conspiracy to defraud and three counts of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act, 1916. The prosecution alleged that Jalloh obtained Le115,718 from Issa Conteh after promising to facilitate his travel from Sierra Leone to Canada, knowing that the representation was false.

The prosecution also alleged that Jalloh obtained US$5,600, equivalent to Le146,400, from Alhaji Abdul Kamara by falsely claiming that he had 76 foam mattresses available for sale. Furthermore, Jalloh allegedly obtained Le14,830 and US$7,774 from Ibrahim Sory Yousif Kamara after promising to facilitate the travel of Kamara's brother, Abubakarr Kamara, to Canada.

The three substantive fraud allegations involve a total stated value of approximately Le449,000. When the charges were read and explained to Jalloh, no plea was taken because the matter was before the court for committal proceedings. The prosecution, led by Inspector Kadie Taylor, presented evidence before the court, after which the case file was withdrawn for a ruling.

Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Jah said he had considered the prosecution's evidence and the statement made by the accused and was satisfied that sufficient evidence had been presented to warrant a trial before the High Court. The magistrate subsequently committed the matter to the High Court and ordered that Jalloh be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown pending trial.

Jalloh has not been convicted of the offences, and the allegations remain subject to determination by the High Court. The accused was not legally represented during the proceedings. The case will now proceed to the High Court for trial.

The commitment of Jalloh to the High Court marks a significant development in the case, which has been closely followed by the public. The outcome of the trial will determine the veracity of the allegations and the culpability of the accused.

Key points

• Jalloh faces four charges, including conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences.
• The alleged offences involve a total stated value of approximately Le449,000.
• Jalloh has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown pending trial.