By Feima Sesay
Magistrate Santigie Bangura has on Wednesday 25th September 2024 denied bail to Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar and Suliaman Barie for allegedly Importing Bom-Making Materials into Sierra Leone.
When the matter was mentioned in court, the state prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay informed the court that his witness was absent and therefore could not proceed in the circumstance requested for an adjourment.
Lawyer Emmanuel Teddy koroma in reply to the application for an adjournment informed the court that the third accused Suliaman Barie’s medical condition was depreciating everyday and hence had medical report to that effect. He said justice delayed was justice denied, adding that they were sure of their case and ready to defend but the prosecution, he said, was delaying the matter.
He also renewed his application for bail stating further that the essence of bail was to ensure the future appearance of an accused and that he said his client would comply with.
State counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay in reply said he was still objecting to bail, adding that they had made progress in the matter and that the issues of adjournment was not illegal.
In respect of the third accused, he said, defences counsel was not a medical doctor and that at first when the third accused appeared in court, his condition was worsen comparatively to now.
He also urged the court to look at the public interest that the case attracted.
Magistrate Bangura whiles addressing them said he was impressed with the speed at which the prosecution was going with the matter and therefore had led 4 witnesses but said that not withstanding, they should proceed with the case in the interest of justice and fairness.
In respect of the condition of the third accused, he said they were men of the world but would rely on the report of the correctional service, adding that the correctional facility was in better position to explain further the health condition of the accused and said until that was done he could not decide anything yet.
Magistrate Bangura refused bail and adjourned the matter to the 2nd October 2024.
It could be recalled that accuseds were arraigned before the court on thirty count charges ranging from conspiracy, providing funds for the transportation of chemical weapons, providing funds for the stockpiling of chemical weapons, importation of arms manufacturing material without valid licence, possession of arm manufacturing material, having in custody of arms manufacturing, aiding and abetting the commission of an offence, importation and transportation of prohibited drug and perverting the course of justice all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the indictments, it was alleged that Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, and Sulaiman Barrie on diverse days between the 1st October 2023 and the 9th July 2024, conspired with other persons unknown to commit an offence by providing funds for the transportation of chemical weapons (bomb-making materials) without licenses.
The indictment further mentioned that Hussein Antar on a date unknown between 11 November 2023 and 9th July 2024 at Freetown, provided funds to Samuel Marrah for the unlawful transportation of chemical weapons from Queen Elizabeth II Quay to a house at Madina Community Waterloo.
Police further alleged that Hussein Antar , Jamal Antar and Suliaman Barrie, on diverse dates between the 1st October 2023 and 30th November 2023 conspired together to commit a crime by Importation of Arms Manufacturing Material into Sierra Leone without Licence.
Also the accused on a date unknown between the 11th November 2023, and 7th July 2024 at Freetown, had in their possession Arms Manufacturing Material in Sierra Leone without a valid license.
The charge sheet furthered that the accused Jamal Antar and Suliaman Barrie on diverse dates between 1 October 2023 and 7th July 2024 at Freetown, aided and abetted Hussein Antar and other persons unknown to import into Sierra Leone bomb-making materials without licence and also stockpile in Sierra Leone bomb-making materials without licence.
The charge sheet further highlighted that Jamal Antar and Suliaman Barrie on diverse dates between the 1st October 2023 and the 7th July 2024 at Freetown, aided and abetted Hussein Antar and other persons unknown to import into Sierra Leone a huge quantity of prohibited drugs without lawful authority and also aided and abetted Hussein Antar to transport to Sierra Leone a huge quantity of prohibited drugs without lawful authority.
The charge sheet further captured that all the accuseds between the 1st of October 2023, and the 30th November 2023 conspired together to import a huge quantity of prohibited drugs without lawful authority and also Hussein Antar on a date unknown between the 1st October 2023 and the 11th November 2023, imported a prohibited drug into Sierra Leone without lawful authority.
The police further alledged that Hussein Antar on a date unknown between 11 November 2023 and the 9th July 2024 at Freetown, transported a prohibited drug from the Queen Elizabeth I1 Quay, Freetown to 93 Smart Farm, Off-Wilkinson Road, Freetown without lawful authority.
The charge sheet continued that all the accused persons on a date unknown between the 11 November 2023 and 9th July 2024 at Freetown, had in his possession a prohibited drug without lawful authority and also the
circumstances leading to the importation of bomb-making material into Sierra Leone, fabricated evidences with no intent to pervert the course of justice.
