Jihad Basma, the third accused in the alleged 264 carats stolen diamond case from Kono is currently being coerced into negotiating with Benjamin Marrer, his accuser. Benjamin Marrer is claiming that, Jihad Basma bought a stolen diamond from his workers in Kono. Jihad Basma has always insisted that, he did not buy the alleged 264 carats diamond from his co-defendants.
The idea of forcing Jihad Basma to settle this matter out of court is strikingly unusual or odd. If those supporting Benjamin Marrer believe that they have a strong case against Jihad Basma, why not allow the court to decide on the matter? Why do they have to use the Law Officers Department to put pressure on Jihad Basma to negotiate with Benjamin Marrer?
Jihad Basma’s bail was rescinded, because, he was deemed not to be serious in negotiating with Benjamin Marrer. Before his release from custody, Jihad Basma had met all the bail conditions set by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah- Stevens JA on 29th August, 2024.
Benjamin Marrer and his sidekicks are insisting on the payment of US$42M for the alleged stolen diamond. How on earth can Jihad Basma pay (even if he has such mouth-watering sum of money) for a piece of diamond that he has denied seeing or buying?
Some people in the Law Officers Department are insisting that, unless Jihad Basma makes a serious undertaking to settle this matter, he would not be released from custody. This is considered a risky undertaking to make.
If some people in the Law Officers Department are serious about promoting the rule of law in this country, they should allow Judges and Magistrates to do their work diligently and impartially.
How can Jihad Basma engage in any serious negotiation when Benjamin Marrer and his stooges are insisting on the payment of a settlement sum of US$42M? This is a big joke!
We call on the Law Officers Department to allow this matter to continue in court and release Jihad Basma and his co-accused persons from custody to be able to prepare their defence in court. Jihad Basma is presumed innocent until the court proves otherwise.
How can you force a man to negotiate in a matter that is undergoing preliminary investigation in the Magistrate Court? That is just a damp squib!
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