Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, has denied bail to Mohamed Kelleh Mansaray and Saidu Kuyateh, who appeared before the High Court on charges of conspiracy to commit migrant smuggling. The charges were brought under Section 20(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, No. 12 of 2022.
The decision came during the official launch of the 2024 Criminal Procedure Act and the opening of the September Criminal Session at the Main Law Courts Building on Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Justice commenced proceedings into seventy-five criminal cases committed for trial at the High Court. These include a treason case, eight murder cases, and several others involving unlawful possession of drugs.
Following the opening, Hon. Justice Alfred T. Ganda (JA), who took over from the Chief Justice, delivered sentences to ten accused persons who pleaded guilty to various offences. Among them were Robert Moiforay, sentenced to one year for larceny, and Abdulia Kemokai and Emmanuel Komba, who received two and a half years and three years respectively for house breaking and larceny.
Thaimu Bangura was sentenced to five years for fraudulent conversion and obtaining money by false pretence, while Ansu Kallon received one year for larceny from the person. Other sentences included Mohamed Gbla (two years for store breaking and larceny), Hassan Bangura (two years for fraudulent conversion), and Kojo Suliaman Janny (two years for store breaking and larceny). Alie Musa Kamara was sentenced to time already spent in detention and ordered to pay NLe 100,000 in compensation to the complainant.
The ceremony also included the formal assignment of cases to trial judges for the new session.
