Court of Appeal Judge Sentences Nuru Deen for Migrant Smuggling, Orders Immediate Compensation
Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice Tonia Barnett, has sentenced Nuru Deen Bangapoma Bangura, a 40-year-old businessman, to nine years’ imprisonment for Migrant Smuggling, contrary to Section 20(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2022 (Act No. 12 of 2022).
According to the indictment, Nuru Deen Bangapoma Bangura and his brother, Sheik Ibrahim Bangapoma Bangura, were jointly charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit migrant smuggling and one count of migrant smuggling under the above Act.
The prosecution, led by State Counsel A. Jalloh, informed the Court that between 1st September 2023 and 30th April 2024, in Freetown, the accused conspired with others to facilitate the illegal movement of persons across borders for financial gain.
It was alleged that Nuru Deen obtained financial benefits from Nyuma Lamin Tengbeh between 5th September 2023 and 25th April 2024 under the pretext of facilitating his travel and stay in the United States — an act constituting migrant smuggling under Sierra Leonean law.
The prosecution further revealed that Nuru Deen had reached an agreement with Nyuma Lamin Tengbeh and his elder brother, Sinnah Manley, to arrange overseas travel. He reportedly persuaded their community headman to convince the victim’s mother to sell a family property for Three Hundred Million New Leones (NLe 300,000,000). Following the sale, Nuru Deen demolished the perimeter fence on the land and later oversaw the construction of a new one for the new buyer.
“Nyuma Lamin Tengbeh never travelled to the United States. Instead, he was taken to Guinea and later flown to Kazakhstan, where he remains in poor health,” the prosecution stated.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution called seven witnesses, while the first defendant, Nuru Deen, called one witness. The second defendant, Sheik Ibrahim, called no witness.
In her judgment, Honourable Justice Tonia Barnett, JA, held that the evidence presented — particularly the testimony of the first defendant himself — clearly established that he had “travelled with Lamin Tengbeh to Kazakhstan.”
Justice Barnett observed that no evidence was adduced to show that the first defendant was a Consular Officer, a member of a Humanitarian Organisation, or any other licensed individual authorised to facilitate cross-border migration or resettlement.
“The first defendant is therefore found guilty of the offence charged in Count Two as indicated on the indictment,” Justice Barnett ruled.
Accordingly, Nuru Deen Bangapoma Bangura was sentenced to nine (9) years’ imprisonment on Count Two (Migrant Smuggling), and both Nuru Deen and Sheik Ibrahim Bangapoma Bangura were acquitted and discharged on Count One (Conspiracy to Commit Migrant Smuggling).
The Court also ordered that the property located at No. 67 Mongegba, Regent Road, Grafton, Freetown, which had been sold, be retrieved by the Undersheriff’s Department and returned to its original owner.
In addition, Justice Barnett ordered that the victim be compensated the sum of Two Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe 200,000.00) for emotional trauma, and that the payment be made immediately.
The Court further directed that the victim currently residing in Kazakhstan be repatriated to Sierra Leone for proper care and support.
Justice Barnett also ordered that the passport of the second defendant be released to him by the Court Registrar.
The defendants were represented by I. Turay Esq.
