Three Airport Staff Face Trafficking & Aiding Drugs Charges
By Fatima Sesay
Three Airport workers, who identify themselves as Johannese Tarawallie, Ibrahim Kamara and Emmanuel John Bundu, were on Monday 21 October 2025 sent on remand by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2 for allegedly trafficking, aiding and possession of drugs at the Freetown International Airport without lawful authority.
The three defendants were arraigned before the court on five count charges; ranging from possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, aiding and attempting to commit an offense to wit: trafficking, both contrary to section 8(a) of the National drug control Act of 2008, ACT no. 10 of 2008 and Larceny contrary to section 2 of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The indictment states that the first and second defendants, Johannese Tarawallie and Ibrahim Kamara, on Sunday, 7 September, 2025, at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, in the Port Loko Judicial District, in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, did possess, aid and traffick prohibited drug to wit: Cocaine, without lawful authority.
The indictment further states that the third defendant, Emmanuel John Bundu, on the same day and place, stole one mobile phone and two wrist watches, properties from passengers luggage onboard the Aircraft.
After the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea were taken from the first and second defendants, Johannese Tarawallie and Ibrahim Kamara, since they were both charged with the offenses of possession of prohibited drugs, which offense is not a bailable one according to the new Act of 2024, but the third defendant, Emmanuel John Bundu, pleaded not guilty to the offense of Larceny, which, according to the new act, is a bailable offense.
The lead Prosecutor, Tommy Zizer, informed the court that his witnesses were absent and therefore could not proceed in the circumstances and requested for an adjournment.
Counsels representing the first and second defendants, A. B Kamara and M. Y Conteh, did not object to the adjournment sought for by the prosecution team and did not apply for bail.
H. Conteh, Counsel representing the third defendant, Emmanuel John, made an application for bail on behalf of his client.
He added that his client is a Sierra Leonean and has a fixed abode.
Furthering that his client will not interfere with the prosecution witnesses, neither will he jump bail.
He added that his client has credible and reliable persons who are willing to stand on his behalf as sureties, and he will make himself available in court whenever he is needed.
He made his application pursuant to section 76(1) paragraph C of the Criminal Procedures Act of 2024.
Magistrate John Manso Fornah did not grant bail and remanded the defendants at the Male Correctional facility until the 24 October 2025 for hearing.
