By: Audrey Raymonda John
A Calaba Town resident, Kawusu Jabbie, is facing trial before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown over allegations of undertaking construction and development without the required approvals.
Jabbie was charged with unauthorized construction, unauthorized development in an environmentally sensitive area, failure to comply with a stop-work order, and tampering with approved infrastructure, contrary to provisions of the National Country Planning Act, 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly commenced construction of a house on June 4, 2026, off Wilkinson Road, Freetown, without obtaining the required building permit or an approved structural plan.
He was further accused of changing the use of a drainage area without planning permission, undertaking development in a wetland, floodplain or conservation area without environmental clearance, continuing construction after being served with a stop-work order, and interfering with approved infrastructure, including roads and drainage systems.
During proceedings, the prosecution led its second witness, Mohamed Sama Banya, a civil servant attached to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, where he serves as Deputy Director of Country Planning.
Led in evidence by ASP Wellington, Banya told the court that his responsibilities include guiding and controlling development across the country.
He said his duties involve overseeing the Operations Department, planning communities and settlements, ensuring compliance with planning laws, and facilitating the issuance of building permits.
According to the witness, applicants seeking building permits are required to submit relevant documents, including a survey plan, architectural designs, a National Identification Card, two passport photographs, and environmental clearance where applicable.
He explained that applications may be submitted online or through the Ministry’s front desk, after which they are processed in accordance with the Ministry’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Banya further testified that a building permit is issued only after the required procedures have been completed and that construction should commence only after the permit has been granted.
He added that environmental clearance is required for developments in environmentally sensitive areas.
The witness recalled that between January 1 and June 4, 2026, the Ministry received a complaint from a neighbour concerning development taking place in the Wilkinson Road area.
He said a stop-work order was initially issued to the developer. However, he later received information that construction activities were continuing at the location.
Banya told the court that he subsequently visited the site together with other senior officials. At the location, they met the accused and the complainant, as well as the Deputy Minister of Lands and the Deputy Secretary.
He stated that the Deputy Minister of Lands ordered that construction be stopped until further notice to allow investigations into the property and the development to be conducted.
The witness further testified that he later received information that work was still ongoing at the location despite the directive.
The prosecution subsequently sought a short adjournment to continue presenting its case.
Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to October 15, 2026, for further proceedings, while bail was continued for the accused.