By: Audrey Raymonda John
Fifty-five-year-old businessman Mohamed Ansumana Dabeneh has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after he was arraigned on five counts relating to the alleged unlawful possession, custody and control of arms and ammunition.
Dabeneh is facing two counts of possession of arms without a licence, two counts of custody of arms without a licence, and one count of control of ammunition without a licence, all contrary to Section 22(1) of the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition Act, 2023 (Act No. 24 of 2023).
According to the particulars of the offences, on Friday, August 14, 2026, at No. 1 Kaikai Drive, Jui, Western Area, Freetown, the defendant was allegedly found in possession of arms without lawful authority.
Count Two alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, Dabeneh was found in possession of ammunition without lawful authority.
Count Three stated that he was allegedly found in custody of arms without lawful authority, while Count Four alleges that he was found in custody of ammunition without lawful authority.
Count Five further alleges that the defendant was found in control of ammunition without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to him, Dabeneh pleaded not guilty to all five counts.
Prosecutor Inspector Kadie M. Taylor informed the court that she had served defence counsel with copies of the case and inquiry files.
Defence counsel, I. Fofanah, Esq., renewed and adopted his previous bail application on behalf of the defendant.
However, Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.
The matter was adjourned to September 15, 2026.