By Mackie M. Jalloh
In a major twist in the trial of three men accused of illegally importing bomb-making materials into Sierra Leone, Samuel Marrah, CEO of Infinity Trading Company, delivered vital testimony on Monday, September 9, 2024. The accused—Lebanese nationals Hussein Antar and Jamal Antar, along with Sierra Leonean Suliaman Barrie—are facing charges related to the unlawful entry of explosive components through Water Quay.
Marrah, testifying under the guidance of State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay, recounted his dealings with the accused. He confirmed that his company, which deals in industrial equipment, was approached by the first accused, Hussein Antar, between October 2023 and July 2024. According to Marrah, Antar requested his company’s name to clear several suspicious containers through the port.
Marrah then introduced Antar to a contact at Water Quay, Ibrahim Bashir Kamara, who facilitated the clearance. Payments totaling NLe300,000 were made by the accused, including an additional NLe30,000 handed over by Barrie, for the release of the containers. These were later transported to 3 Mile, where the bomb-making materials were discovered, shedding light on a significant security breach.
The testimony raised concerns about the porous nature of Sierra Leone’s ports, sparking alarm over the unchecked importation of dangerous goods.
Defence counsel for the accused requested time to cross-examine the witness, and Magistrate Santigie Bangura adjourned the case until Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The accused remain in custody, facing charges of conspiracy, illegal arms importation, and obstructing justice.
