May 4, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
Police Witness (PW1) Detective Inspector Brima Kamara who is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Kambia Division has testified in court before Magistrate Mark Ngegba on the 29th April, 2021. The witness said he recognized the accused persons Mariama Jaguraga and Abass Alhaji Kabbba of Kondoma village Valunya Chiefdom Bo district.
The witness said on the 17th February, 2021 he was on duty when the Support Officer Abu Bakarr Magona came in and told him that he received an intelligence of an alleged human trafficking case. The witness said he was instructed by the Support Officer to accompany him in a vehicle. Witness said he then drove to the NP filling station at Kambia two. The witness continued to say upon their arrival, the Support Officer pointed at one of the accused person who was standing under the NP sign post. The witness said they arrested the accused person at the NP filling station and one of the victims called Mariatu Kamara at the time.
The accused persons Mariama Jaguraga and Abass Alhaji Kabbba of Kondoma village Valunya Chiefdom Bo district were charged on 15 counts ranging from Conspiracy to Commit Human Trafficking, etc. contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the case file, the accused persons on 1st February to the 8th February, 2021 at Kondoma village Valunya chiefdom, Bo district, in the Southern region of Sierra Leone conspired together with other persons unknown to traffic, Ishmael Fatorma, Isata Sogbeh, Isata Wusay, Fatmata Kamara , Foday Mattia, Christiana Albert, Sao Fatorma, Haja Wusai, Mariama Senessie and Hannah Mattia, from Kundoma village, Valunya chiefdom, Bo district to Kambia via Masiaka for the purpose of exploitation to the Gambia. That on 1st February to the 8th February, 2021, both accused person engaged in trafficking of persons of Ishmael Fatorma, Isata Sogbeh, Isata Wusay, Fatmata Kamara, Foday Mattia, Christiana Albert, Sao Fatorma, Haja Wusai, Mariama Senessie and Hannah Mattia, from Kundoma village, Valunya chiefdom, Bo district to Kambia via Masiaka for the purpose of exploitation to the Gambia.
During cross examination, Defense Lawyer S.A. Conteh asked if the Support Officer identified the accused persons and the victims. The witness said yes. Defense Lawyer further asked if the witness can state the manner of intelligence he received from the Support Officer. The witness said he can’t tell as he is not the Support officer.
Before the witness got to the accused persons who identified the accused persons? The Defense Counsel posed the question. The witness said it was the Support officer. The Defense Lawyer continued to ask the witness if at that point in time was Abass Alhaji Kabba the first accused person was around. Yes, the witness responded. Defense Lawyer asked if the witness report was comprehensive on the 17th February, 2021. The witness said yes.
The Defense Lawyer pleaded for bail for both accused persons. However bail was denied and they were remanded at the Pademba Road prison. The prosecutor for the case is Ibrahim T. Bangura Esq, who is attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) of the Sierra Leone Police, whiles Lawyer S.A. Conteh represented both accused persons. Matter has been adjourned to the 6th May, 2021.