By Mamajah Jalloh
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Two men, Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, facing charges of wrongful communication of a document under Section 7(1)(a) of the Treason and State Act of 1963, as amended.
The indictment alleges that between 20th and 30th August 2025, Kanu, while in possession of the travel manifest of President Julius Maada Bio and his entourage to the United Kingdom, wrongfully communicated the document to Turay. Turay is accused of subsequently communicating the same manifest to an individual in Dubai.
When the charges were read, neither defendant entered a plea.
During proceedings, State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay said the prosecution is acting in accordance with Section 1(2) of the Treason and State Act No. 10 of 1963, with written consent from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to proceed with the trial. He requested a 14-day adjournment to allow for the preparation of witnesses and service of relevant documents to the defense.
Defense Counsel J. Wales confirmed that they did not object to the prosecution’s request but applied for bail under Section 70(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024, citing that both defendants are Sierra Leoneans residing within court jurisdiction, have no prior criminal records, and are unlikely to abscond. He added that the defendants have cooperated fully with police and stressed the presumption of innocence as guaranteed under Section 23(4) of the 1991 Constitution.
Despite the defense’s arguments, Magistrate Briama Jah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offenses. The case was adjourned to 29th September 2025 for further hearing.
