By Janet A. Sesay
Three Airport workers who have identified themselves as Johannese Tarawallie, Ibrahim Kamara and Emmanuel John Bundu on Monday, 21st October, 2025 made their first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on allegation of trafficking and aiding and possession of drugs at the Freetown International Airport without lawful authority.
The three defendants were arraigned before the court on five count charges ranging from possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, aiding and attempting to commit an offense to wit, trafficking contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008 and larceny contrary to Section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The indictment states that the first and second defendants: Johannese Tarawallie and Ibrahim Kamara on Sunday, 7th September, 2025, at the Freetown International Airport at Lungi in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom in the Port Loko Judicial District, in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, did possess, aid and trafficked a prohibited drug to wit, cocaine without lawful authority.
The indictment further asserts that the third defendant, Emmanuel John Bundu, on the same day and place stole one mobile phone and two wrist watches being properties from a passenger luggage onboard on an aircraft.
After the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea was taken by the first and second defendants – Johannese Tarawallie and Ibrahim Kamara since they are both charged with offenses for which bail cannot be granted in accordance with the amended National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008.
Meanwhile, the third defendant, Emmanuel John Bundu, pleaded not guilty to the offense of larceny for which bail can be granted in accordance with the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008.
The Lead Prosecutor, Tommy Zizer at this stage sought for an adjournment on ground that the witnesses in the matter are absent in court but, assured that they will be in court on the next adjourned date.
Counsels representing the first and second defendants, A. B. Kamara and M. Y. Conteh did not object to the adjournment sought for by the Prosecution Team and did not apply either for bail on behalf of their clients.
Pursuant to Section 76(1) Paragraph C of the Criminal Procedures Act of 2024, Counsel representing the third defendant, Emmanuel John, H. Conteh made an application for bail on behalf of his client.
He noted that his client is a Sierra Leonean and he has a fixed abode and assured the court that if granted bail, his client will not interfere with the Prosecution Witnesses nor will he jump bail.
He went on to guarantee that his client has credible and reliable persons who are willing to stand on his behalf as sureties and he will make himself available in court whenever he is needed.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah however refused to grant all three defendants bail and ordered that they be remanded at the Male Correctional facility at Pademba Road pending the adjourned date of 24th October, 2025 for hearing.