By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Station Manager of Malador Fuel Station, identified as Malador, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at the Pademba Road Court in Freetown to face a charge of cyberbullying, brought under the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021.
During the preliminary proceedings, Lead Defense Counsel C.I. Williams raised an objection, arguing that the case should not proceed. He cited Section 44(3)(a) and (c) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, asserting that the matter had already been reported to the police by the accused in 2024. He also claimed that the complainant who is a serving member of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) failed to cooperate with police during the initial investigation.
Williams argued that proceeding with the case would “offend the conscience of justice” and referenced Supreme Court Case SCK 1-2017 (State vs. Abraham Lavahli and 9 others) to support his application. He asked the court to stay the proceedings until the complainant complies with the previous police investigation.
However, Prosecutor Daniel Koroma strongly objected to the application, dismissing the cited Supreme Court case as “epileptic and irrelevant.” He further argued that the defense had provided no evidence to substantiate claims that the complainant had avoided police inquiry.
“My lord,” Koroma stated, “we rely on evidence, and none has been provided by the defense to back their assertions. This matter concerns cyberbullying, not false pretenses, and the police acted under the directive of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).”
After listening to arguments from both sides, Magistrate Jah ruled briefly:
“Having listened to the defense’s submission and the prosecution’s objection, I am satisfied that the charge before this court relates to cyberbullying. If the defense has objections, they should be raised during the trial. I therefore order the court registry to put the charge to the accused.”
Bail was granted, and the matter was adjourned to September 1, 2025, for further hearing.