By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Alie Jaffal, a 50-year-old businessman, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Monday, September 17, 2024, to face six charges related to the illegal possession of firearms. The charges include possession of arms without a license, unlawful concealment of arms, and carrying an offensive weapon.
According to the prosecution, on April 6, 2024, at the Young Sports Club (YSC) facility on Wilkinson Road, Jaffal was found in possession of a Makarov pistol without a license. The court also heard that he was in possession of six rounds of 9×19mm ammunition and had unlawfully concealed the pistol. Additionally, Jaffal was accused of keeping more firearms than legally permitted and carrying an offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority.
During the hearing, Jaffal did not enter a plea. Magistrate Bangura stated that due to the severity of the offenses, the matter was being treated as a preliminary investigation. The prosecution, led by state prosecutor Yusif Isaac Sesay, called five witnesses, including Chief Superintendent Mohamed Turay of the Lumley Police Division and ballistic expert Detective Chief Inspector Kadiatu Nyakoi, to establish a prima facie case against Jaffal.
Chief Superintendent Turay testified that upon arriving at the scene, he observed a chaotic situation with Lebanese nationals running in panic. He stated that Jaffal was seen approaching the crowd in anger, and when questioned about the weapon, a man named Toufik Darwich handed over the pistol to him. Based on this information, Turay ordered Jaffal’s arrest.
Detective Chief Inspector Nyakoi conducted a forensic analysis of the firearm, concluding that the Makarov pistol, found with a magazine capable of holding eight cartridges but containing only six, was fully functional and capable of causing harm.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Bangura determined that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for a trial. He dismissed the defense’s submission of “no case to answer,” stating that there was enough prima facie evidence to connect Jaffal to the offenses charged.
Magistrate Bangura explained that the law requires only prima facie evidence at this stage, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt. He referenced legal precedents to support his ruling, emphasizing that inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case were not substantial enough to discredit the evidence presented. The court noted that video footage showed Jaffal holding the firearm during the incident, further linking him to the alleged offenses.
As a result, Magistrate Bangura committed Jaffal to the High Court for trial. He granted Jaffal bail set at 200,000 Leones, with three sureties, including one property owner and a registered bank account holder. The sureties are required to present valid identification and proof of their addresses in Freetown. Bail is subject to approval by the Master and Registrar of the High Court.
Jaffal is now awaiting his trial at the High Court, where he will face the charges of illegal firearm possession and related offenses.
