Bail Denied For Businessmen Accused of Leaking President Bio’s Travel Manifest

Bail Denied For Businessmen Accused of Leaking President Bio’s Travel Manifest

The legal proceedings involving two businessmen charged with the unauthorized disclosure of President Julius Maada Bio’s travel manifest are currently awaiting a ruling.

Abdul Kanu and Mohammed Abu Turay appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. They face two counts of wrongful communication of official documents, an offense under section 7(I)(a) of the Treason and State Security Act of 1963, as amended. The charges stem from their alleged actions concerning the President's travel details during a trip to the United Kingdom.

The indictment specifies that Abdul Kanu allegedly obtained and communicated the President’s travel manifest to Mohammed Abu Turay in Freetown between August 20 and 30, 2025. Turay is subsequently accused of possessing the document and sharing it with third parties in Dubai.

Upon the formal reading of the charges, neither defendant entered a plea.

The prosecution, led by Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq., informed the court of its intention to conclude its case based on the evidence presented to date.

Defense counsel, E.B. Kargbo Esq. and J. Wales Esq., formally requested the court to subpoena the author of a cyber report—admitted as exhibits D1-7—for testimonial evidence. The defense argued that clarification of the report’s contents was essential, citing its pertinence to the case, and reserved the right to appeal any adverse court rulings.

Magistrate Jah denied the application for bail for both defendants, ordering their remand to the male correctional facility in Freetown.

The matter has been adjourned to November 7, 2025, pending the court’s final decision.