By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-two-year-old Emmanuel Marshall, a Sierra Leonean engineer based in the United Kingdom, has been placed on a bench warrant by Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on a one-count charge of cyberbullying, contrary to Section 44(1)(b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act 2021 (Act No. 7 of 2021).
According to the particulars of offence, between May 4, 2025, and February 24, 2026, in Freetown, Western Area of Sierra Leone, the accused allegedly used his Facebook and TikTok accounts under the name “Emmanuel Marshall” to willfully and repeatedly create and publish insulting text and livestream videos targeting the Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie; the Director of Surveys and Lands, Tamba Sahr Dauda; and staff of the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning. The prosecution alleges that his actions were intended to harm their reputation and had a detrimental effect on them.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken as the matter is at the committal proceedings stage.
State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay, Esq., informed the court that the defendant was absent and applied for a bench warrant to be issued.
Magistrate Fornah granted the application and ordered a bench warrant for the arrest of the absent defendant and his sureties. The matter was adjourned to May 7, 2026, for further proceedings.