By Musa Paul Feika
Yean Ngebeh, the mother of the victim in a human trafficking matter, has testified before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No 1 in Freetown. The accused, in the matter, Yeabu Bangura, is alleged to have committed human trafficking, which is contrary to section 2 (2) of the Anti Human Trafficking Act of 2005.
The witness, who also doubles as the victim’s mother, told the court that she recognizes the accused and the complainant, who, she noted, is her daughter. She said that the accused met her one day and told her that her husband (Alusine Bangura) is living in Germany and that he wanted his son and someone else to travel with him to Germany.
The victim’s mother further told the court that she agreed to give her daughter to the accused son (Abu Bangura) to travel with her. The accused, according to the witness, later requested the sum of ten million leones (Le10,000,000), which, according to her, was to handle all expenses needed to process the travelling documents. She informed the court that she agreed to this and gave the money.
The witness continued that, upon giving her daughter the said quantum of money, she asked for a collateral security and the accused showed her his house and other properties.
Ms. Ngebgeh said the accused had demanded fifty million leones (Le50,000,000) to take her daughter to Germany, transiting through Ghana. She also told the court that she met the request from the accused.
The witness disclosed that when her daughter and the accused son landed in Ghana, the victim called to inform her about their arrival. The accused, she added, instructed her to pay the sum of fifty million leones to Hamid Brimi, which she also did.
The witness concluded that, after two weeks, the accused son called her via her mobile phone and informed her that her daughter was sick. She recounted that her herself, with the help of her brother, went to Ghana and brought the accused speechless in Freetown.
She noted that they reported the matter at the Central Police Station in Freetown and they were issued with a medical request form. The accused is before the court on four count charges of recruiting by means of deception, human trafficking, which is contrary to section 2 (2) of the Anti Human Trafficking Act of 2005 and other related offences, also contrary to law.
The police file sheet indicates that Yeabu Banagura, between Wednesday 1st March and Friday 31st March 2017 at Kingstone, Hastings, outside Freetown, with intent to defraud, causing the sum of USD 7000 to pay Hamid Brimi, by falsely pretending that her husband, Alusine Bangura, will facilitate a trip for Fatmata Jonea to Germany, knowing same to be false.
The accused is still on bail while the matter was adjourned to the 7th June, 2019.