By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 49-year-old businessman, Kawusu Jabbie, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 after facing five charges relating to alleged unauthorized construction and development violations.
The accused is charged with unauthorized construction contrary to Section 87(1) of the National Country Planning Act, 2025; unauthorized development in an environmentally sensitive area contrary to Section 92(1) of the same Act; non-compliance with a stop-work order contrary to Section 94(1); and tampering with approved infrastructure contrary to Section 95 of the National Country Planning Act, 2025.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Thursday, 4 June 2025, at Wilkinson Road, Freetown, Western Area, the accused allegedly commenced the construction of a building without obtaining the required planning permit or an approved structural plan.
The second count alleges that the accused changed the use of land and drainage areas without the necessary planning permission.
The third count states that he undertook development activities in a wetland, floodplain or conservation area without obtaining environmental clearance.
The fourth count alleges that the accused continued construction activities despite being issued with a stop-work order, while the fifth count states that he interfered with approved infrastructure, including roads, drains or utility corridors.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken as the matter is being handled as a committal proceeding.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dellia Wellington, presented its first witness, Sahr Mark Kalawa, the Director of Country Planning at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
Testifying before the court, Kalawa explained that his responsibility is to ensure orderly physical development and proper land-use management across the country.
He told the court that he recognized the accused following a site visit after a complaint was lodged against him by the Bontine Jonny family of Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
The witness recalled that between 1 and 4 January 2026, a complaint was received alleging that the accused had entered a structure located on the complainant’s property boundary and had constructed structures over a major drainage channel serving the community, which allegedly contributed to flooding during the rainy season.
Kalawa said the ministry initially sent an officer to inspect the site, but the accused allegedly denied the officer access. As a result, he personally visited the location together with his Assistant Director and observed ongoing construction activities.
According to the witness, they instructed the workers to stop the construction immediately, but the accused allegedly directed them to continue. After a lengthy discussion, the workers eventually stopped work.
He said the accused was instructed to report to the ministry with relevant documents relating to the construction. During the meeting at his office, Kalawa said the accused agreed to halt construction while further investigations were conducted.
However, the witness told the court that prior to his site visit, he had contacted the accused by phone, including once in the presence of the Deputy Secretary, and instructed him to stop work. He alleged that the accused responded that he would not stop the construction.
Kalawa further testified that after receiving another complaint that construction had resumed, he returned to the site with a team of senior officials from the ministry, including the Deputy Secretary and other technical officers.
He said a meeting was held at the site involving the accused, the complainant, the local chief and other residents, during which the accused was again instructed to stop all construction activities.
The witness added that the Deputy Minister of Country Planning was assigned to conduct a detailed investigation and prepare a report. The report, titled “Land Use and Development Control: Offences Relating to Unauthorized Construction, Drainage Encroachment and Building Line Violation within the Wilkinson Road Area,” was produced and tendered in court as evidence, marked as Exhibit A1–A9.
At that stage, the prosecution requested a short adjournment.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offences. The matter has been adjourned to 14 August 2026.