Officer responsible for registration and licensing process at the Office of National Security (ONS) testified against Pastor and proprietor Fatoma Tommy Jusu, after he made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown for alleged operation of private security without valid license contrary to section 31 (8) of the National Security and Central Intelligence Act of 2023.

According to the particulars of offence on the 5th July 2024 at No.59c Leicester Road, western area in Freetown was operating a private security agency without valid licence from the office of the National Security (ONS).

The accused take no plea after the charge was read and explained to him.

Yusif Isaac Sesay Esq Led in prosecution witness number three Musu Roseline Arun Conteh officer at the ONS, responsible for the registration and licensing of Private Security companies.

She recalls on the 4th to 5th July 2024 he recognized the accused person something transfers between herself and the accused person.

The witness said on Thursday 4th July 2024, the accused person came to their office with a complaint against the CEO of the Southern lion Security Company that he had worked for the accused for three months without receiving salary.

The witness said she asked him to produce evidence of his employment with the above company and he produce a guarantor bearing the name of this Southern Security logistic company situated at No. 59B Leicester Road back of Muslims brother hood Freetown. The witness said in the form she saw mobile number which was 077810116.

The witness said when the person left, she called the number, and one Pastor Fatoma Jusu answered the call he told him that he wanted to hire his Securities for two different locations at the Adonkia and John Obey.

The witness said she asks him for his address which he gave to her, and they agreed to meet on the 5th July 2024, to tie up their agreement.

The witness further stated that around 10:30am on the 5th July 2024 Pastor Fatoma Jusu called her to remind her of their arrangements upon that she informed her officer at the station room was activated and the integrated intelligent security officer was readied for deployment.

They arranged an operation and called accused and asked him where they’re heading.

The accused told her officer to meet him at Model junction circular Road she instructed her officer to go.

They went within ten minutes they brought the accused to her officer. She asked the accused person if he is aware of where he was, he told her that he was at ONS office.

She asks him whether he had seen any of their press releases regarding Private Security operations, the accused said yes she also asked him if he knows the details of the operations.

The accused person said yes, the accused person explained to her that nobody should operate a security company without a valid license from the office of the National Security.

He said he started operating his security company on the 8th August 2023 the accused told her that he had fourteen guards and three clients one at Islamic college at Wilkinson road, the Evangelical Church Murray Town and SV Electronic Shops. Upon that she gave instructions to take the accused person to the Criminal Investigation Department Cid headquarters Pademba Road Freetown she made statement to the said station.

The witness was cross examined by C Kamara Esq and he renewed his previous Bail applications on behalf of the accused person.

Magistrate Bangura refused the accused bail, and the matter was adjourned to the 21st August 2024 for further hearing.