By Janet Sesay
A contractor, Sheka Ahmed Kalokoh, yesterday made his fifth appearance before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 for allegedly trafficking thirty-two (32) persons from Sierra Leone to Niamy, Niger, with the pretext of providing jobs for them, which proves to be false.
Some of the victims include Kabba Bangura, Mohammed Bangura, Sorie Kargbo, Ibrahim Fadika, Foday Koroma, Sallieu Mansaray, Bai Kamara, Hassan Yillah, Sorie Karim Koroma, Amara Thomas and twenty-two others.
Led in evidence by A.S.P. Ibrahim Mansaray, Mohammed Malam Bangura, the exhibit clerk attached at the Transnational Organized Crime Unit of the Sierra Leone Police, told the court that he recognizes the accused. He dilated on his roles as exhibit clerk which, according to him, are to receive, document and keep all exhibits brought to the station in respect of cases under investigation until they are charged to court.
He continued that, on the 5th May 2019, while on duty at the station, D.P.C. 13112 Marcathy J.B., also attached at the said office, handed over to him six books of Sierra Leone passports, with different serial numbers bearing names of the victims involved in the matter.
The witness told the court that he registered them in the court register book against serial number 12/19 and that these exhibits have since been in his custody. He later tendered them in court to form part of the evidence.
The accused stands trial on three counts of conspiracy to commit human trafficking, trafficking in person and attempt to commit human trafficking, which are all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The charge sheet indicates that the accused, on diverse dates between 1st April and 13TH May 2019 in Freetown, conspired together with other person unknown to commit an offence of trafficking in person by transferring thirty-two (32) persons from Freetown to Niamy, Niger via Conakry by means of deception for the purpose of exploitation.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused, on the 23th May 2019 in Freetown, transferred thirty-two persons from Freetown to Niamy and Niger via Conakry by means of deception for the purpose of exploitation.
The witness was cross examined by defense counsel I. Kanneh, who also made bail application on behalf of the accused. He assured the court that the accused are Sierra Leoneans and they would not a pose a flight risk to the court.
The accused were granted fifty million leones bail and two sureties in like sum. Sureties, as per the bail condition, should produce valid national identification card and must be resident in Freetown. In fact, they are also required to produce title deeds. Bail should be approved by the Acting Master and Registrar. The matter was adjourned to the 28th June 2019.