By: Alimatu Kargbo
Freetown — Two businessmen, Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay, have been committed to the High Court to stand trial for allegedly wrongfully communicating the travel manifest of President Julius Maada Bio and his entourage during an official trip to the United Kingdom. The ruling was delivered by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1.
The accused were arraigned on two counts of wrongful communication of a document, contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act, 1963 (as amended).
According to the indictment, between 20th and 30th August 2025, in Freetown, Abdul Kanu, while in possession of the President’s travel manifest, allegedly communicated the document to Mohammed Abu Turay. It was further alleged that Turay subsequently shared the document with an unknown contact in Dubai in exchange for cash.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was entered by either defendant.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. informed the court that the prosecution had closed its case and withdrew the file for ruling.
In delivering his decision, Magistrate Jah noted the seriousness of the offences and explained that a preliminary review had been conducted to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to warrant a trial. He affirmed that the prosecution’s witnesses had testified openly and that the defendants were provided an opportunity to cross-examine them.
During proceedings, Defence Counsel J. Wales Esq. requested that the author of a cyber report be summoned for cross-examination and sought a medical status report for the defendants. The prosecution objected, arguing that the matter regarding the cyber report had already been ruled upon and that the defense’s application was procedurally improper.
After considering both submissions, Magistrate Jah dismissed the defence application, noting that no legal provision had been cited to support it. He further affirmed that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to justify committing both defendants to trial.
Consequently, the magistrate committed the case to the High Court and ordered that both Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay remain remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown without bail pending the commencement of their trial.
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