By: Audrey Raymonda John
Emmanuel Marshall, a 42-year-old Sierra Leonean engineer residing in the United Kingdom, has been remanded to Pademba Road Prison by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on a charge of cyberbullying, contrary to Section 44(1)(b) of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act 2021 (Act No. 7 of 2021).
According to the particulars of the offence, between 4 May 2025 and 24 February 2026 in Freetown, Western Area, Marshall allegedly used his Facebook and TikTok accounts to willfully and repeatedly post bullying messages and livestream videos targeting Dr. Turad Senessie, Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Tamba Sahr Dauda, Director of Surveys and Lands, and the entire staff of the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning. It was stated that he knew his conduct would detrimentally affect the officials.
When the charge was read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken.
The prosecutor informed the court that the defense had been served with a bundle of statements. The defense counsel responded that he had just received the files and requested a short adjournment to review the documents and prepare any necessary applications for the next hearing.
Magistrate Fornah ordered that subpoenas be served to absent prosecution witnesses and remanded the defendant to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 13 March 2026.