Court Sentences Businessman to Nine Years for Migrant Smuggling, Orders Immediate Le 200 Million Compensation to Victim

The Court of Appeal has sentenced 40-year-old businessman Nuru Deen Bangapoma Bangura to nine years in prison for migrant smuggling. The judgment was delivered on Monday, October 13, 2025, by Honourable Justice Tonia Barnett.

Nuru Deen was convicted under Section 20(1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act, 2022 (Act No. 12 of 2022) for orchestrating and facilitating the illegal movement of individuals abroad.

Court documents revealed that Nuru Deen and his brother, Sheik Ibrahim Bangapoma Bangura, faced charges of conspiracy to commit migrant smuggling and actual migrant smuggling. The prosecution, led by State Counsel A. Jalloh, stated that between September 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, the defendants conspired with others to facilitate illegal migration.

Prosecutors alleged that Nuru Deen received financial benefits from one Nyuma Lamin Tengbeh under the false pretense of helping him travel and settle in the United States a scheme deemed illegal under the law.

Evidence showed that Nuru Deen reached agreements with Tengbeh and his elder brother, Sinnah Manley, and convinced community leaders to persuade Tengbeh’s mother to sell land valued at Le 300,000,000. A perimeter fence on the property was demolished and later rebuilt after the sale, which was facilitated solely by Nuru Deen.

However, Tengbeh never traveled to the United States. Instead, he was taken to Guinea and later flown to Kazakhstan, where he remains in poor health.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called seven witnesses, while Nuru Deen called one. Sheik Ibrahim did not present any witnesses.

In her ruling, Justice Barnett highlighted that overwhelming evidence, including testimony from Nuru Deen himself, confirmed that he traveled with Tengbeh to Kazakhstan. The court found no evidence that Nuru Deen held any official capacity as a consular officer, humanitarian worker, or licensed migration facilitator.

“Therefore,” Justice Barnett declared, “the first defendant is found guilty of migrant smuggling as charged.”

Nuru Deen was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment for migrant smuggling and acquitted, along with Sheik Ibrahim, on the conspiracy charge.

The court also ordered the recovery of property at No. 67 Mongegba, Regent Road, Grafton, Freetown, sold during the scheme, and instructed the Undersheriff’s Department to return it to its rightful owner.

Additionally, the victim in Kazakhstan is to be compensated Le 200,000,000 for emotional trauma, payable immediately. The court further directed the victim’s repatriation.

Finally, the court ordered that Sheik Ibrahim’s passport be returned to him by the Court Registrar. The defendants were represented by I. Turay Esq.