By Audrey Raymonda John
Joseph Sesay appeared before Magistrate Soa Mamakoh Kallon at Pademba Road Court No. 3 on May 13, 2024, facing two counts of cyberstalking under Section 44(1)(a) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act, 2021.
According to the prosecution, on Saturday, December 3, 2023, in Freetown, the accused allegedly used a WhatsApp account registered to +232 31214660, bearing the name “Joseph Sesay,” to create and circulate an audio message meant to threaten and stalk one Edward Sesay.
The message was purportedly crafted to damage the complainant’s reputation, instill fear, and potentially provoke a breach of the peace.
On the second count, the prosecution alleges that the accused sent another audio message through the same WhatsApp account, intended to bully and emotionally harm the complainant while also causing reputational damage.
Testifying for the prosecution, Mohamed Jusu, a detective with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, stated under cross-examination that he has served as a cybercrime investigator for 20 years. He confirmed receiving and analyzing the audio recordings, which were submitted using a Tecno mobile phone.
When questioned about the absence of the original source file, Detective Jusu explained that all data was extracted from the phone and transferred to a flash drive for further forensic analysis.
So far, three witnesses have testified in the matter. The case was adjourned to August 8, 2025, for continuation of proceedings.