Thirty-eight-years-old Pastor Fatoma Tommy Jusu who is a proprietor made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown.

He stood on a count of operating private security without valid license contrary to 31 (8) of the National Security and Central Intelligence Act, 2023.

According to the particulars of offence on the 5th July 2024 at No. 59c Leicester Road in the Western Area in Freetown was operating a private security agency without valid licence from the Office of the National Security.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.

Yusif Isaac Sesay, Esq was PW3.

Musu Roseline Arun Conteh, an officer at the Office of the National Security (ONS) is responsible for the registration and licensing of private security companies.

She recalled on the 4th to 5th July, 2024, that she recognized the accused, something transpired between herself and the accused.

The witness said on Thursday 4th July, 2024 at about 14:30am the accused came to their office with a complaint against the CEO of the Southern Lion Security Company lodging series of complaints claiming that he had worked for the accused for three months without receiving salary.

The witness said she asked him to produce evidence of his employment with the above company and he produced a guarantor bearing the name of this Southern Security Logistic Company situated at No. 59B Leicester Road back of Muslims Brotherhood in  Freetown.

The witness said in the form she saw one mobile number 077810116.

She called the number and one Pastor Fatoma Jusu answered the call. She told him that she wanted to hire his securities for two different locations at the Adonkia and John Obey ans the witness said she asked him for his address which he gave to her and they agreed to meet on the 5th July, 2024 for an agreement. The witness further stated that around 10:30 am on the 5th July, 2024 Pastor Fatoma Jusu called her to remind her of their agreement and upon that she informed her officer at the station room.

The accused told her officer to meet him at Model junction Circular Road where she instructed her officer to go and they went there and within ten minutes they brought the accused to her office.

She asked the accused if he could recall when he told her that she was at ONS office.

He asked him whether he had heard any of their press releases regarding private security operations the accused said yes.

She also asked him if he knows the details of the operations the accused said yes and explained to her that one of the press releases nobody should operate a security company without a valid license from the Office of the National Security, he said, he stated operating his security company on the 8th August, 2023.

The accused told her that he had fourteen guards and three clients one at Islamic College at Wilkinson Road, the Evangelical Church Murray Town and SV Electronic Shops upon that she gave instructions to take the accused to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters Pademba Road Freetown she made statement to the said station.

The witness was cross examined by C Kamara Esq and he renewed his previous bail applications on behalf of the accused.

Magistrate Bangura refused bail on the grounds of public policy consideration and the grievous nature of the offence charged.

The matter was adjourned to the 21st August 2024.