By: Edrie Caleb John
In the ongoing hearings of a bomb-making trial, Sheika Fofana, a driver, testified on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 against Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, and Suliaman Barie, who are accused of transporting bomb-making materials to Sierra Leone.
Fofana, the fourth prosecution witness, provided his testimony during an examination led by Yusuf Isaac Sesay. He stated that he has been driving for Mohamed Wurie since 2019. While he recognized the first two accused, he admitted he did not know the third accused. He recalled events from January and February 2024, when men approached his boss, Mohamed Wurie, regarding the rental of a vehicle to transport their load. Following their discussion, Wurie introduced Fofana to the men as the driver and instructed him to operate a six-tire Daff truck to Waterloo.
Upon arrival at Waterloo 3 Mile, Fofana encountered the second accused, Jamal Antar, along with some laborers who loaded the truck. After completing the loading, he was given money to fuel the vehicle. Fofana testified that he made multiple trips to 3 Mile, loading the truck again in February 2024 and subsequently transporting the consignment to Liberia. He reiterated that he made additional trips to load consignments for Liberia in March 2024.
During cross-examination by lawyer I. Kamara, representing the first and second accused, Fofana confirmed he had been driving since 2019 and acknowledged that he had transported goods to Liberia three times at the instruction of the first and second accused. He emphasized that he was merely following instructions from his boss, Mr. Wurie, after their discussions with the accused.
Lawyer Kamara questioned Fofana’s knowledge of the contents of the load, given that he was not present during negotiations between his boss and the accused. Fofana agreed that he could not specify what he was transporting. He also mentioned encountering several checkpoints during the trips but was never interrogated by security personnel.
Lawyer D. Bayoh, counsel for the third accused, asked Fofana if he knew Suliaman Barie, to which Fofana replied that he did not.
At the conclusion of cross-examination, the state counsel requested an adjournment to bring the next witness, which was granted. The matter has been adjourned to October 9, 2024, while the accused remain in custody.
The accused are facing thirty counts of charges, including conspiracy, providing funds for the transportation of chemical weapons, and importation of arms manufacturing material without a valid license. The indictment alleges that Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, and Suliaman Barrie conspired with unknown individuals to transport bomb-making materials without the necessary licenses between October 1, 2023, and July 9, 2024.
Further allegations include that Hussein Antar provided funds for the unlawful transportation of chemical weapons and that the accused possessed arms manufacturing materials without a valid license during the specified dates. The indictment also states that they aided and abetted each other in importing prohibited drugs and bomb-making materials into Sierra Leone.
As the trial continues, the prosecution aims to substantiate these serious allegations against the accused, while the defense seeks to challenge the evidence presented.
