Matthew Mendy, a 41-year-old Gambian national, found himself at the center of a legal storm as he appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pa Demba Road Court No.1 on Friday, April 19th, 2024. The charges against him stem from an alarming discovery made by Mary Finda Ngawuja, the aviation security supervisor attached to the Westminster section of the Freetown International Airport.
Ngawuja, the second prosecution witness, recounted the events leading to Mendy’s arrest. She testified that on Monday, January 29th, 2024, during a routine check at level three of the airport’s security screening process, she detected an object resembling a shotgun on the X-ray screen. Acting swiftly, Ngawuja followed protocol and alerted other security personnel. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that the suspicious item was traced back to Mendy’s luggage.
During the proceedings, Ngawuja detailed the steps taken following the discovery. She engaged Mendy, who confirmed ownership of the luggage and consented to a physical search. Mendy affirmed that he packed the luggage himself. Subsequently, he was instructed to unpack his belongings, allowing for a thorough inspection.
However, the defense raised pertinent questions during cross-examination. Lawyer Chernor Kamara sought clarification regarding the screening process and the sequence of events leading to the discovery. Ngawuja admitted that the luggage had passed through levels one and two of the security check before the alleged shotgun was detected at level three, under her supervision.
As the legal saga unfolds, Mendy’s fate hangs in the balance. The court adjourned the proceedings to April 26th, 2024, with Mendy remanded at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown pending further hearings.
The case has sparked concerns over airport security protocols and the effectiveness of screening measures. With the trial ongoing, many await the outcome, eager for justice to prevail and for clarity on the circumstances surrounding Mendy’s arrest at the Freetown International Airport.
