By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Magistrate Santigie Bangura has denied a bail request for several individuals facing charges related to the unlawful importation of bomb-making materials into Sierra Leone, despite claims of ill health by the defense.
The accused, including Lebanese nationals Hussein Antar, 65, and Jamal Antar, 65, along with Sierra Leonean Sulaiman Barrie, 25, are confronted with thirty charges. These include conspiracy, funding the transportation and stockpiling of chemical weapons, and importing arms manufacturing materials without a valid license. They also face allegations of possession of arms manufacturing materials, aiding and abetting, importing and transporting prohibited drugs, and obstructing justice.
According to police reports, the three accused are alleged to have provided funds to Samuel Marrah between November 11, 2023, and July 9, 2024, for the illegal transportation of chemical weapons from Queen Elizabeth II Quay to a residence in Waterloo. They are also accused of conspiring to import arms manufacturing materials into Sierra Leone between October 1, 2023, and November 30, 2023, without a valid license.
Further allegations include the unlawful possession of arms manufacturing materials in Sierra Leone and aiding in the importation and stockpiling of bomb-making materials and prohibited drugs. They are also accused of transporting prohibited drugs from Queen Elizabeth II Quay to 93 Smart Farm, off Wilkinson Road, Freetown, and fabricating evidence to obstruct justice.
During a recent court session, the defense counsel requested bail, citing the ill health of the accused and presenting medical reports to support their plea. Despite this, Magistrate Bangura directed the defense to seek medical care for the accused at the correctional facility’s hospital, rather than granting bail.
Testifying under oath, Alhaji Kabba, Operations Manager at Global Aviation, detailed his involvement with the containers in question. Kabba stated that between October 1, 2023, and July 29, 2024, he received orders from his superior, Ibrahim Basiru Kamara, to process and deliver 40-foot and 20-foot containers. Kabba processed these containers at Bolorie, and upon receiving the scan results, was instructed to deliver them to Waterloo, Bah Drive, 3 Mile. He recounted that upon delivery, he was informed by Samuel Marrah that the containers belonged to Hussein Antar. Kabba observed Hussein Antar directing Jamal Antar to arrange for the unloading of the containers.
Following Kabba’s testimony, defense counsel I.S.Y Kamara cross-examined him and again requested bail on medical grounds. However, Prosecuting Counsel Yusif Isaac Sesay opposed the bail application, citing the severity of the thirty-two counts against the accused.
In his ruling, Magistrate Bangura ruled that the accused should receive medical attention at the Male Correctional Facility and remanded them into custody. The case has been adjourned to September 25, 2024. SKS/18/9/2024
