Magistrate Hadiru Daboh.
By Ibrahim Sesay
Two accused persons have been committed to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial on three serious criminal charges following proceedings at the Magistrate Court No. 1 in Kenema, presided over by His Worship, Principal Magistrate Hadiru Daboh.
The defendants, Daniel Okechuku Williams, a Nigerian national and private security guard resident in Kenema, and Bobor Lansana, a Sierra Leonean, were on December 16, 2025, formally committed to stand trial at the High Court on charges of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, Robbery with Violence, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecuting officer, Inspector Alphan Samuel Musa of the Legal and Justice Support Department, Kenema Police Division, informed the court that the two accused allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to commit the offences in Kenema City, Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District, in the Eastern Province.
According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly robbed Mohamed Koroma of a black bag containing a mobile phone, a power bank, and other assorted personal items. The court further heard that during the course of the incident, Daniel Okechuku Williams allegedly assaulted the complainant, causing bodily harm.
Inspector Musa told the court that the prosecution had established sufficient evidence linking the accused persons to the offences, warranting their committal to the High Court for full trial. After reviewing the evidence and submissions, Magistrate Daboh ruled that a prima facie case had been made and accordingly committed both defendants to the High Court to answer to the charges.
The committal was carried out under the Twenty-Eight (28) Days Rule, as provided for by Section 112(b)(4) of the New Criminal Procedure Act (NCPA) 2024, which mandates the expeditious handling of criminal matters at the magistrate court level before onward transmission to the High Court.
In a related development on the same date at Magistrate Court No. 1, Kenema, another accused person, Cherinoh Foday, a Sierra Leonean civil servant, was also committed to the High Court for trial. According to the prosecution, Foday was found in possession of a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis sativa and Kush, substances prohibited under the laws of Sierra Leone.
The prosecution informed the court that the nature of the offence and the evidence presented necessitated committal to the High Court, in line with the provisions of the New Criminal Procedure Act. Magistrate Daboh, having considered the submissions, ordered that the accused be committed to stand trial at the High Court.
Meanwhile, the Kenema Magistrate Court continues to demonstrate a firm stance on criminal offences, particularly those relating to public safety and security. It could be recalled that the same court recently sentenced a local farmer, Tamba Amadu Yoya, to thirty-six (36) months’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm.
The ruling was delivered by Principal Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Magistrate Court No. 1. Tamba Amadu Yoya was charged with unlawful possession of firearms, contrary to Section 19(2)(c) of the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1955, as amended by the Arms and Ammunition (Amendment) Act No. 17 of 1974.
According to court documents, the convict was found in possession of a single-barrel short gun on Tuesday, August 20, 2025, at Njagbema Village, Malegohun Chiefdom, within the Kenema Judicial District. The prosecution stated that the accused had no valid licence authorising him to possess or carry the firearm.
Upon the charge being read and explained to him, Tamba Amadu Yoya admitted guilt and pleaded with the court for leniency. After considering the plea and the circumstances of the case, Magistrate Daboh convicted him and imposed a three-year custodial sentence.
Following his conviction, Tamba Amadu Yoya was transferred to the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre (SLCC) in Kenema, where he is currently serving his sentence. The case was also prosecuted by Inspector Alphan Samuel Musa of the Kenema Police Division.
Law enforcement authorities say the recent convictions and committals underscore ongoing efforts by the judiciary and the Sierra Leone Police to combat violent crime, drug-related offences, and the unlawful possession of firearms across the Eastern Province. They have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that offenders are brought before the courts and dealt with in accordance with the law, as part of broader efforts to enhance public safety and uphold the rule of law in the region.
