Two Remanded in Prison
By: Alimatu Kargbo
Two individuals, Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay made their first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah for wrongfully communicating the manifest of President Julius Maada Bio’s travelling to the United Kingdom.
Both defendants were arraigned before the court on two count charges of wrongful communication of document contrary to section 7(I)(a) of the treason and state Act of 1963 as amended.
The indictment states that Abdul Kanu on a date unknown between 20 and 30 August 2025 in Freetown, being in possession of the traveling manifest of President Julius Maada Bio and entourage to the United Kingdom did communicates the said manifest with Mohammed Abu Turay wrongfully.
The indictment further states that Mohammed Abu Turay on the same date also being in possession of the traveling manifest of president Julius Maada Bio and entourage to the United Kingdom did communicate the said manifest with cash in Dubai wrongfully.
After the charges were read and explained to both defendants no plea was taken.
State counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay said they are taking a line of action, adding that compliance with section 1(2) of the treason and state Act no. 10 of 1963, they have file a written consent of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice consenting both defendants to be tried based on the above charge which is dated 22 September 2025.
Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay at this stage seeks leave for an adjournment for them to get their witnesses and serve documents to the defence relating to the matter.
He asked for fourteen days for proper commencement of the matter and the serving of documents.
Defense counsel J. Wales said they are not objecting to the application made by prosecution.
He made an application for bail relying on section 70(1) (c) of the Criminal procedure Act of 2024.
He further applied that the defendants be put on bail as they are Sierra Leoneans residing within the court jurisdiction.
Defense counsel Wales further that both defendants did not have a criminal record and will not jump bail, adding that they have been detained for 23 days at the police station and they did not know the prosecution witnesses.
Wales furthered that the offenses are serious but at this stage it is treated as an allegation and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty which is stated by section 23(4) of the 1991 Constitution.
He furthered in his bail application that both defendants have cooperated with the police up till this time and there is no affidavit received by the prosecution that they are objecting to bail.
Defense counsel Wales ended his bail application by relying on section 76(1) (c) of the CPA of 2025.
After his application, Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah refused bail because of the seriousness of the offense and adjourned the matter to 29th September for further hearing.
