By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone — The State has officially closed its case in the ongoing preliminary investigation against Abdul Kanu and Mohamed Abu Turay, who stand accused of wrongfully communicating the travel manifest of President Julius Maada Bio and his entourage during their August 2025 trip to the United Kingdom.
On Tuesday, 4th November 2025, lead prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay informed the Magistrate Court that the prosecution would no longer present further witnesses at this stage, stating that remaining testimonies would be reserved for the High Court. He emphasized that the State would rely on the evidence already tendered before the court.
The accused, Abdul Kanu and Mohamed Abu Turay, face two counts of wrongful communication of documents, contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Treason and State Offences Act of 1963, as amended. According to the indictment, Kanu allegedly shared the President’s travel manifest with Turay between 20th and 30th August 2025 in Freetown. Turay is further accused of communicating the same document in Dubai in exchange for cash.
During proceedings, defense counsel E. B. Kargbo requested that the Cyber Crime Officer who authored the digital forensic report—already admitted as Exhibit D1-7—be summoned to testify. He argued that the defense had specific questions regarding the report that could only be addressed by its author.
Prosecutor Sesay objected, maintaining that the State had concluded its case and was ready for the matter to be committed to the High Court.
Magistrate Jah adjourned the matter to Friday, 7th November 2025, to deliver a ruling on the defense’s application. Both defendants remain in custody at the Male Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.