By: Audrey Raymonda John
Five individuals have been arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2, facing charges of Proposing to Murder, contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
The accused persons are: Albert Sheriff Soloku, 43, a teacher, Today Turay, 33, a businessman, Musa Kamara, 32, unemployed, Augustine Rashid Kelfal Josiah, 45, a Human Resource Coordinator, Kadiatu Kamara, 44, unemployed
According to the police charge sheet, on Friday, 18th April 2025, in Freetown, Western Area, Republic of Sierra Leone, the accused allegedly conspired to murder Musayaroh Barrie, the Director General of the Sierra Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA).
When the charge was read and explained, no plea was taken from the accused persons. The first prosecution witness, Musayaroh Barrie, Director General of SLCAA, testified under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan Bull*, who is serving as the state prosecutor.
Mr. Barrie identified all the accused persons in the dock as former employees of a ministry where he previously served as minister. He recounted that on 18th April 2025, he received intelligence suggesting that the accused, along with others, were allegedly plotting to murder him and disrupt operations at the airport.
He testified that the information was obtained via social media, specifically through an audio recording, which he listened to. Fearing for his life and concerned about national security, he reported the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Barrie stated that he possesses video evidence relating to the threats and requested for it to be submitted as part of the court records. At that point, ACP Bull made an application for the presence of an IT specialist to play the audio in court, and subsequently requested an adjournment to facilitate this.
Defense Counsel Madieu Sesay, representing the accused, renewed and adopted a prior bail application on behalf of all five defendants. However, Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offense.
All accused persons were remanded to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter has been adjourned to 10th June 2025 for continuation.