By Fatima Kpaka
FREETOWN — Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, ordered the remand of Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay for allegedly wrongfully communicating the travel manifest of President Julius Maada Bio and his entourage during a trip to the United Kingdom.
The accused made their first appearance and were arraigned on two counts of wrongful communication of documents, contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offenses Act of 1963, as amended.
According to the indictment, between August 20th and 30th, 2025, Abdul Kanu, while in possession of the president’s travel manifest, allegedly shared the document with Mohammed Abu Turay. It is further alleged that Turay, also in possession of the manifest, communicated its contents to an individual in Dubai in exchange for cash.
No plea was taken during the proceedings.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay informed the court that the prosecution had filed written consent from the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, dated 22 September 2025, authorizing the trial of both accused under the Treason and State Offenses Act. He requested a 14-day adjournment to prepare witnesses and serve relevant documents to the defense.
Defense counsel J. Wales did not oppose the adjournment but applied for bail under Section 70(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024. He argued that the accused are Sierra Leoneans with no criminal records, have cooperated with police, and have been held for 23 days without objection from the prosecution regarding bail. He emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that the accused are presumed innocent under Section 23(4) of the 1991 Constitution.
Despite the application, Magistrate Jah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offense, and adjourned the matter to September 29, 2025, for further hearing.