By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 21-year-old Nigerian national, Ibrahim Bello of Lagos, has made his first appearance before Magistrate Salamatu A. Jalloh at the Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown on two charges related to alleged unlawful entry into Sierra Leone.
The accused, who is unemployed, is charged with entering Sierra Leone without a permit, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Non-Citizens (Registration, Immigration and Expulsion) Act, 1965 (Act No. 14 of 1965). He is also charged with disregarding an obligation imposed by the same Act, contrary to Section 36(c) of the Non-Citizens (Registration, Immigration and Expulsion) Act, 1965.
According to the particulars of offence, on Monday, 29 December 2025, at Tombo Wharf off Waterloo in the Western Area of Freetown, Ibrahim Bello was allegedly found to have entered Sierra Leone without a valid permit and without providing a reasonable explanation for his presence in the country.
The second count further alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused deliberately disregarded obligations imposed under the Non-Citizens (Registration, Immigration and Expulsion) Act, 1965, by unlawfully entering the country.
When the matter was mentioned in court, the prosecution informed the bench that the accused is currently in police custody and will be produced in court on the next adjourned date.
Magistrate Salamatu A. Jalloh adjourned the matter to 26 January 2026 for further hearing.