By Prince J Musa in Kenema
53 Foreign Nationals were on the 6th September 2021, sentenced to one month imprisonment and pay a fine of Le 200,000 each by Magistrate Abdul Carew of court No.1 in Kenema after they were found guilty on four count charges including illegal entry into Sierra Leone. Nine Sierra Leoneans, who were arrested during a Police raid on the house where the accused were staying, were acquitted and released.
According to the particulars of offence, they were arrested on the 22nd July 2021 at No.16 School Drive, IDA in Kenema following security concerns raised by residents of the community.
They were accused of unlawful assembly and illegally entering into Sierra Leone without valid travelling certificate.
The accused persons comprised nine Sierra Leoneans, three Ivorians, 18 Malians, 32 Guineans and 1 Burkinabe.
The Sierra Leonean nationals were freed on their fourth appearance after they pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful assembly.
In delivering his judgment, Magistrate Carew ordered that the convicted persons be handed over to their respective Embassies in Sierra Leone for eventual deportation to their home countries after serving their sentences.
The matter was prosecuted by ASP Daniel Konneh from the Legal and Justice Department of Sierra Leone Police Kenema division. The accused persons were represented by lawyer Maada Sheku Koroma.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (08/09/21)
