By Amin Kef Sesay
In a courtroom scene at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, Sergeant 12186 Alusine Folarin presented charge statements against Ali Jaffal before Magistrate Bangura. This marked Jaffal’s sixth appearance in court, where he faced six counts of charges related to the possession of arms without a license, ammunition without a license, and control of small arms without authorization, all violations of Sierra Leonean laws.
The allegations stem from an incident dated April 6th, 2024, at the Young Sports Club (YSC) facility on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, where Jaffal was purportedly found in possession of a Makarov pistol and six 9*19 millimeter rounds without proper licensing. Upon hearing the charges, Jaffal pleaded not guilty.
State Counsel, Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq, led the prosecution, with Sergeant Alusine Folarin presenting as the third witness. Folarin, attached to the Foreign National Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road, testified to recognizing Jaffal during an investigation into unlawful possession and concealment. Evidence presented included a pistol, a flash drive containing video footage, and a request for ballistic examination, among others.
Following the prosecution’s presentation, Defense Counsel J.J. Vandy requested bail, renewing previous applications. The state expressed no objection to bail, provided Jaffal submitted his travel documents and secured sureties from the Western Area in Freetown.
Magistrate Bangura granted bail at 200,000 Leones, requiring three sureties in a like sum. One surety must be a newly registered business in Sierra Leone, while two must be property owners. Additionally, Jaffal must submit all relevant documents to the Master and Registrar of the High Court for approval of his bail.
The matter was adjourned to May 14th, 2024, as legal proceedings continue in this case of alleged arms possession by Ali Jaffal, a Lebanese national.
