39-year-old businessman Foday Allieu, also known by the alias “King Big Fish,” made his initial appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1.

The magistrate granted bail in the amount of Le50 million to Allieu, who faced charges related to carrying an offensive weapon without lawful authority.

Allieu’s appearance before the court stemmed from two counts against him: the first for carrying an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, as stipulated in section 16 (1) of the Public Order Act No.46 of 1965; the second count was for disorderly behavior, as outlined in Section 12 of the Public Order Act No.46 of 1965, amended by Section 12 (a) of Act No.15 of 1973.

According to the account presented by law enforcement officials, on July 10, 2023, on Gloucester Street in Freetown, Allieu was observed carrying an offensive weapon – specifically, a machete (cutlass) – in a public place, with no lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Additionally, on the same date and location, the accused displayed disorderly behavior.

Details from the police charge sheet revealed that Allieu was apprehended around 10:20 AM by Alusine Kpaka and others, who subsequently brought him to the police station for further investigation.

The allegations further stated that Allieu was in possession of an offensive weapon at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Immigration Building, Gloucester Street in Freetown.

Upon the reading and explanation of the charges to the accused, Allieu pleaded not guilty.

Inspector Sellu Tap, the prosecutor, apprised the Bench of the accused’s mental health issues. Tap conveyed that a medical doctor from the Kissy Mental Home would be summoned to provide insights into the accused’s mental condition.

In light of the circumstances, Magistrate Ngegba exercised his discretion and granted Allieu bail in the sum of fifty thousand Leones. The stipulated bail required one surety in a similar amount.

The case was adjourned to August 29, 2023, marking the next step in the ongoing legal proceedings.