By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — In a landmark decision, Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 has remanded three individuals—Hussein Antar, Jamal Antar, and Sulaiman Barrie—following their appearance on Monday, September 2, 2024. The accused face a staggering thirty-two counts related to the illegal transportation and stockpiling of chemical weapons, arms manufacturing materials, and prohibited drugs.
The charges against the defendants, which span from conspiracy to the importation of arms and drugs without a valid license, reflect serious allegations of criminal activity between October 1, 2023, and July 9, 2024. The indictment details that Hussein Antar, a businessman aged sixty-five, along with Jamal Antar, also sixty-five and unemployed, and twenty-five-year-old businessman Sulaiman Barrie, were involved in a network to facilitate the illegal movement of bomb-making materials and controlled substances.
The court was informed that Hussein Antar allegedly provided funds for the unlawful transportation of chemical weapons from Queen Elizabeth II Quay to Madina Community, Waterloo. Furthermore, the trio is accused of conspiring to import and possess arms manufacturing materials without appropriate licenses, as well as aiding and abetting the illegal importation and transportation of prohibited drugs.
During the proceedings, the third accused, Sulaiman Barrie, collapsed in court due to severe illness, prompting emotional reactions from his family. Despite the distressing scene, the charges were read and explained, though no pleas were entered by the accused.
Prosecuting Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq. noted the need for amendments to the charges due to previous inaccuracies. He requested a short adjournment to prepare the prosecution and to share evidence with the defense as mandated by law. The defense, represented by M.I. Antar and Daniel Koroma Esq., argued for bail, emphasizing the good character and reliable sureties of the accused. They also highlighted Barrie’s serious health condition, presenting medical documents to support their plea.
Magistrate Bangura, however, denied the bail requests due to the gravity of the charges and public interest, stating that issues of medical treatment are beyond his jurisdiction. The case has been adjourned to September 9, 2024, with the defendants remaining in custody pending further proceedings.
This case underscores the judiciary’s commitment to tackling serious criminal offenses and upholding the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
