By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown—The Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.2, presided over by Magistrate John Manso Fornah, yesterday heard testimony from prosecution witness Robert Saila Kamara, the manager of Leone Rock Metal Group, in an ongoing cyber bullying case.
Led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, Kamara recounted his ordeal, identifying the accused, Mohamed Kabia, as someone he previously lived with. Kamara stated that on January 13, 2025, while in Tonkolili serving as district secretary for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), he was informed by party members that damaging messages had been posted against him in a WhatsApp forum. Upon receiving screenshots from colleagues, he discovered that the accused had alleged his suspension was due to criminal acts.
Kamara further testified that the accused’s best friend had previously targeted him in a similar manner, an incident he chose to forgive. However, in this case, he reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Pademba Road, leading to the arrest of the accused. He presented his mobile phone as evidence, which was marked as Exhibit Z.
The prosecution stated that Kabia had shared the defamatory content across multiple WhatsApp groups, including the Constituency New Direction Group, Vision State House Group, and Radical Inclusion Group, where Kamara’s picture was used and he was falsely labeled as a thief. As a result of the posts, Kamara claimed he was suspended from his position.
Kabia, a student, faces charges under Section 44 (1) (b) of the Security and Crime Act 2021, which criminalizes cyber bullying. His bail request was denied by Magistrate Fornah, citing the seriousness of the offense. The case has been adjourned to June 17, 2025, for further hearings.
This case highlights growing concerns over cyber harassment and the legal repercussions of online defamation in Sierra Leone.