By Haja Adama Kamara.
Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Court No.1 along Pademba Road in Freetown on Monday 7th February, 2022 sent to prison, Fatmata Bah a Business woman for allegedly trafficking 16-year-old Assiatu Bah from Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone for the purpose of exploitation.
The accused who made her first appearance in court on two counts of conspiracy to commit Human Trafficking contrary to Section 18 of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act 2005, Act No7 of 2005 and Engaging in Trafficking in Person contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the police, the accused on diverse dates between 13 December, 2021 and 19 December 2021, at Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown to traffic Assiatu Bah from Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone for the purpose of exploitation. Whiles counts two adds that the accused on the aforementioned dates engaged in trafficking in person by the receipt of Assiatu Bah from Conakry, Guinea to Sierra Leone by means of deception for the purpose of exploitation.
Lawyer C. Davis Cole ESQ prosecuting the matter informed the court that her witness was absent and therefore could not proceed with the matter.
Defense counsel however applied for bail on behalf of the accused stating that she is a Sierra Leonean ordinarily resident in Freetown with reliable sureties. He added that if his client was placed on bail, she would be of good conduct and would not in any way jump bail. His application for bail was made pursuant to Section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965.
The prosecutor in reply did not oppose bail on the grounds that the accused had already been granted bail at the CID HQ. Magistrate Sahr Kekura having heard the application for bail on behalf of the accused refused bail and sent the accused in prison due to the serious nature of the offence charged.
The matter was adjourned to 10 February 2022 for further hearing.
