Four Individuals Remanded on Counterfeiting and Illegal Firearm Charges

Four Individuals Remanded on Counterfeiting and Illegal Firearm Charges

Four men appeared for a second court hearing in Freetown on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, facing a 17-count indictment that includes serious charges of counterfeiting and illegal possession of firearms. The arraignment follows a police operation that reportedly uncovered a sophisticated currency printing operation and a weapons cache.

The defendants—Umar Baimba Kamara, Joseph Kabia alias Manager, Alhaji Moseray Kabba, and Momoh Kamara—were brought before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1.

The extensive 17-count indictment includes charges such as Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Commit Felony, Possession of Forged Bank Notes, Counterfeiting of Bank Notes, Forging Bank Notes (contrary to Section 2(1)(c) of the Forgery Act of 1913), and Possession and Custody of Arms Without License (in violation of Section 22(1) of the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and Ammunition Act 2023, Act No. 24 of 2023).

The prosecution alleges that the accused conspired between July 15 and 19, 2025, to obtain goods through false pretenses. Further allegations state that all four conspired to produce counterfeit Sierra Leonean banknotes in October 2024.

Specific charges detail that on July 19, 2025, in Wellington, Freetown, Alhaji Moseray Kabba allegedly counterfeited 250 twenty Leone notes, purportedly issued by the Bank of Sierra Leone. Additionally, Joseph Kabia was reportedly found in possession of the same counterfeit notes on July 21, 2025, at Rokupa, Wellington.

Umar Baimba Kamara is further alleged to have printed the counterfeit currency on the same dates at Red Pump, Tengebeh Town. He was also found in possession of a Glock 22 pistol, two magazines, and 44 live rounds without lawful authority.

Prosecution witness Sergeant Lahai M. testified that on July 15, 2025, he responded to a request for reinforcement at the Wellington Police Post. Upon arrival, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Rokupa, where they found the accused hiding and uncovered counterfeit twenty Leone notes along with a printing machine used for forging currency. During subsequent interrogation, the second defendant led police to Tengebeh Town, where officers discovered additional counterfeit notes, three laptops, and the firearm with live rounds.

The defendants’ counsel challenged portions of the witness's testimony during cross-examination; however, the officer stood by the veracity of his account.

Given the gravity of the charges, Magistrate Jah ordered all four accused to be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre. The case was subsequently adjourned to October 24, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.