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Monday, 21 November 2016

Photos: Sierra Leone Government Imprisoned 2 Over Whatsapp Posts But Finally Released Today

Police finally released Theresa Lusenie M’boma, a student of Fourah Bay College, and Bokai Kokofele were arrested on the 16th of November for “publishing any false statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear or alarm, to the public or to disturb the public peace,” according to Section 32(1) of the Public Order Act, 1965. Police arrested the two over WhatsApp poste whom spent the weekend in prison, denied bail on Friday the 18th of November by Magistrate Binneh Kamara in Court 1. 

It is alleged that between the 12th and 16th of November 2016, the accused “incited the public, and published statements and rumours on social media,” said the prosecution, Sergeant John 922. The CID reported that the telephone numbers of the young people were traced and the accused were identified.

The two young people pled “not guilty” aside their defence lawyer, Francis Ben Kailfala, who applied for bail on behalf of the accused. The prosecution objected to bail on the grounds that the offence was serious, that the accused may tamper with witnesses or they might flee. A heated stand-off occurred as defence lawyer Kailfala objected to the prosecution’s assertions. Kailfala insisted, “This is not right. One of my clients is a student and her academic progress is being disrupted.”

This case has raised national interest through social and traditional media. The National Union of Students (NUSS) said in a press release on Friday the 18th, “We feel it lacks the merit to hold her in detention and that we think it is not substantial enough for a student to be detained and not released on bail. The press release continues, “We are most dissatisfied with this news.”
A COMAHS student, Amos Biomel, said, “I have posted several times, actually a lot because it is a social media, an outlet, and a means of communications. I have never been arrested.”
The Magistrate adjourned the matter to the 21st November 2016 and sent the two young people to prison for the weekend.




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