Sierra Leone: Mariama Jaguraga and Abass Alhaji Kabba were remanded after their first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on Pademba Road on allegation of child trafficking.
Both accused are currently undergoing preliminary investigations into the allegation levied against them.
According to the police, both accused allegedly trafficked 13 children from Kundoma Village via Maisaka for the purpose of exploitation to The Gambia.
Police also alleged that both accused persons on diverse dates from 1st February to 8th February 2021 conspired with unknown persons to traffic Ishmael Fatorma, Isata Sogbeh, Mattia, Christian Albert, Sao Fatorma and eight others from Kundoma Village, Bo District via Maisaka for exploitation in Gambia.
Police also alleged that both accused on the same date and place engaged in trafficking in person by recruiting, transporting and transferring the 13 children from Kundoma Village via Miasaka to The Gambia.
Consequently, both accused faced 15 counts of related charges, ranging from conspiracy to commit human trafficking, engaging in human trafficking, among others, all of which are contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Both accused persons did not have legal representation in court. Police prosecutor, Sergeant Dwight Macarthy requested for an adjournment to enable him bring witnesses to court to testify against both accused.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba remanded both accused, at the Male and Female Correctional Centres on Pademba Road and Special Court respectively, and adjourned the matter to 6th April 2021.
SKS/1/04/2021