By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Cameroonian national Ndakwe Tata Sylvain has pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mark Ngegba to charges related to the unlawful possession of a traveling document. The accused changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on Friday, August 20, 2023.
Sylvain faces a charge under Section 13 (1) of the Summary Conviction Offences, CAP 37 of the Laws of Sierra Leone 1960, as amended by the Summary Conviction Offences (Amended) Act 1966. This section pertains to the possession of traveling documents suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.
According to the details of the offense, on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Kafu Bullom Chiefdom, Northern Province, Sylvain was found in possession of a United States passport. The passport, bearing the name and photograph of Oliver Agah Tata and serial number 681471593, was suspected to have been unlawfully obtained. Sylvain was apprehended while attempting to travel out of Sierra Leone.
During the court proceedings, Magistrate Ngegba rescheduled the case for sentencing on Monday, August 13, 2023. Additionally, he ordered the Exhibit Clerk to present the passport as evidence. The prosecution in this matter is being led by Inspector M.M. Tarawallie.
The case highlights ongoing issues related to the use of fraudulent travel documents and the legal repercussions for such offenses. The court’s impending decision will determine the consequences for Sylvain’s actions under Sierra Leonean law.