By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, D.S
On Thursday, February 27, 2025, Honourable Justice Tonia Barnett of the Court of Appeal ordered the remand in custody of five individuals charged with migrant smuggling and related offenses.
The accused are identified as Benson Edward Kamara, a network marketer; Nuru Deen Bangapoma Bangura, a businessman; Sheik Ibrahim Bangapoma Bangura, an imam; Fuad Ibrahim Kuyateh, a teacher; and Tiangay Amara, also a QNet network marketer. They face serious allegations linked to migrant smuggling activities, with Nuru Deen and his brother Sheik Ibrahim charged with two counts of conspiracy and one count of migrant smuggling under Section 20(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2022.
Prosecutor A. Jalloh claims that between September 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, the brothers conspired with others to facilitate these illicit activities in Freetown. Notably, Nuru Deen allegedly accepted financial rewards from Nyuma Lamin Tengbeh for assisting in Tengbeh’s illegal travel to the United States during the same period.
Additionally, Benson Kamara faces separate conspiracy and migrant smuggling charges, accused of accepting money from Hassan Mansaray to facilitate illegal travel to Ivory Coast. Fuad Kuyateh is charged with conspiracy and two counts of migrant smuggling, while Tiangay Amara faces similar charges, including a staggering seven counts of migrant smuggling.
Two additional suspects, 27-year-old businessman Santigie Bangura and 29-year-old student Chernor Alusine Jalloh, currently on bail, were also charged with conspiracy and migrant smuggling but were absent from court. Justice Barnett instructed the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) to ensure their presence at the next hearing.
At the trial’s outset, the prosecution requested a “trial by Judge alone,” which Justice Barnett approved under Section 144(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 and its 1981 amendment. All defendants are represented by Lawyer Cecilia Tucker of the Legal Aid Board.
With all accused now in custody, the court has scheduled the next hearing for March 3, 2025. The serious nature of the allegations highlights the ongoing battle against human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Sierra Leone.
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