By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Victor Turay Principal of Saint Helena Junior Secondary School on 13th September 2023 dragged an old pupil of the same school for sending messages on his WhatsApp line that goes against his personality.
The defendant Alie Kalokoh of Rokel village and also an old pupil of Saint Helena, is before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Court No. 3 Ross road, Freetown on a count of Cyber Stalking and Cyber Bullying contrary to Section 44 (2) (b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021.
Particulars of offence, the defendant Alie Kalokoh on the 25th August 2023, in Freetown, recklessly and intentionally published a defamatory statement in a WhatsApp forum against Victor Turay Principal of St. Helena Junior Secondary School Division, Bai Bureh Road, Kissy, Freetown, to wit that the said Victor Turay has received the sum of fifteen thousand Leones (NLe 15,000.00) for the construction of the school fence which is known to be false.
D Fofanah Esq. represents the complainant (Victor Turay) and A.B Jalloh and M. Massaquoi Esq. represented the defendant.
When the charge was read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
But later, the defendant told the Court what he published on social media against the complainant is true and he is ready to settle the matter.
In that light the complainant lawyer D. Fofanah asked for cost and the defendant must retract his statement.
Magistrate Daboh in his ruling ordered that the defendant must retract his statement on the same forum he published it and to also write letter to the school.
The Magistrate also banned the defendant over peace for 6 month, and he then discharge him with no cost.
