By: Audrey Raymonda John
Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay have been sent back to the Male Correctional Facility by Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah after being charged with wrongfully disclosing the travel manifest of President Julius Maada Bio during his trip to the United Kingdom.
Both defendants were arraigned before the court on two counts of wrongful communication of a document, contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Treason and State Act of 1963, as amended.
The indictment alleges that Abdul Kanu, between the 20th and 30th of August 2025, in Freetown, was in possession of the travel manifest for President Julius Maada Bio and his entourage. Kanu is accused of wrongfully sharing the document with Mohammed Abu Turay.
Furthermore, the indictment states that Mohammed Abu Turay, also in possession of the same travel manifest, communicated it to a third party, reportedly in Dubai, in an unauthorized manner.
When the charges were read and explained, neither defendant entered a plea.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. requested an adjournment to allow time to present his witnesses.
Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah, considering the gravity of the offense, denied bail for the defendants. The case has been adjourned to the 6th of October, 2025, for further proceedings.