By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 32-year-old commercial tricycle (kekeh) rider, Foday Sankoh, has been remanded in custody after making his first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
The accused is facing one count charge of being in possession of counterfeit banknotes, contrary to Section 34(1) of the Bank of Sierra Leone Act 2019 (Act No. 5 of 2019).
According to the particulars of the offence, the incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, at State Avenue in the Western Area of Freetown. The defendant was reportedly found in possession of two hundred Leones (Le 200), all in twenty-Leone notes bearing the same serial number DD668645 which were reasonably suspected to be counterfeit or unlawfully obtained.
When the charge was read and explained in court, no plea was taken.
The prosecution, led by DPC 17649 Kargbo B, served the defendant with a bundle of witness statements. The accused was not legally represented during the proceedings.
Magistrate Jah denied bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.
The matter has been adjourned until 8 April 2026 for further hearing.