Freetown, Sierra Leone – May 19, 2025: The May Criminal Session officially began at Freetown High Court No. 1 on Monday, May 19, 2025, with a total of 42 cases set for trial before various judges. The cases range from murder, housebreaking, larceny, unlawful possession of drugs, and a case involving the operation of a private security firm without a valid license.
During the call-over session, presided over by Justice Augustine A. Musa, several accused individuals received their sentences:
- Abu Bakar Sesay, charged with fraudulent conversion, pleaded guilty and explained that the motorbike in question had been stolen from him, and he had reported the incident to police. His lawyer, Cecilia Tucker of the Legal Aid Board, pleaded for leniency. The judge sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, citing that the young man appeared to have learned his lesson.
- Pastor Fautoma Tommy Jusu, charged with operating a private security service without a license, also pleaded guilty. The judge sentenced him to five years imprisonment or imposed an alternative fine of 50,000 new Leones.
- Saffie Fornah, charged with unlawful possession of drugs (30 kg), pleaded guilty and requested mercy, stating that she had a 13-year-old daughter. Justice Musa sentenced her to five years, including time already served.
- Margaret Bangura, convicted for possession of 50 kg of kush, pleaded guilty and received a five-year minimum sentence, with the court ordering the seized drugs to be destroyed.
- Foday Fallah, charged with housebreaking and larceny, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, with Justice Musa noting that he did not waste the court’s time.
Motor Mechanic in Court for Alleged Vehicle Fraud
By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – May 20, 2025: A motor mechanic, Christian Paul Farma, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to answer to charges of vehicle fraud.
Farma was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. According to court documents, between October and November 2024, Farma allegedly defrauded Emmanuel Mannah of NLe 81,000, falsely claiming he would repair Mannah’s Mercedes Benz GL450 (registration: AXI 424).
The prosecution, led by ASP Ibrahim Mansaray, informed the court that their witness was present. Meanwhile, defense counsel L. M. Bayoh applied for bail, arguing that the accused has a registered business in Freetown and poses no flight risk.
Opposing the bail request, ASP Mansaray cited the serious nature of the allegations in an affidavit. Complainant Emmanuel Mannah told the court that after initially paying NLe 45,000, he was asked for additional funds to buy car parts from abroad, yet the repair was never completed.
Farma countered that he had repaired the vehicle and returned it to Mannah, but the complainant later reported that the vehicle broke down.
Magistrate Kekura granted bail set at NLe 100,000, with one surety providing proof of residence. The case was adjourned to June 4, 2025.