By Edrie Caleb John
Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, and Sulaiman Barrie appeared in court on Friday, August 30, 2024, facing 32 charges related to bomb-making, transportation, and possession of chemical weapons, as well as importation and possession of prohibited drugs. The charges include conspiracy, providing funds for transportation and stockpiling of chemical weapons, importation of arms manufacturing material without a license, and perverting the course of justice.
The charge sheet alleges that the accused conspired to transport and stockpile bomb-making materials without licenses and aided and abetted the importation and transportation of prohibited drugs. They are also accused of having in their possession arms manufacturing material and prohibited drugs without lawful authority.
The third accused, Sulaiman Barrie, appeared seriously sick in court and was taken to the prison bench, where he fell to the floor, causing his mother to shed tears. His lawyer, Daniel Koroma, presented medical papers from a doctor at 34 Military Hospital, stating that Barrie has a serious kidney disease.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura refused bail based on public consideration and the weight of the charges. The matter was adjourned to Monday, September 2, 2024. The defense counsel applied for bail, citing the accused’s good character and reliable sureties, but the prosecution opposed the application, stating that they are not mandatory to hand over evidence to the defense counsel.
