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Magistrate Santigie Bangura presided over a cyberstalking case on Monday, March 17, 2025, involving Dr. Philip John Kanu, Vice Chancellor and Principal of Milton Magai University, and Tejan Sheik Rogers, a lecturer at the same institution.
Lecturer Rogers faces charges of cyberstalking under Section 44(2)(b) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2001. According to the charges, between November 1 and 30, 2022, in Freetown, Rogers allegedly used his WhatsApp number to create and disseminate recorded audio and text messages in a group titled “Maada Must Stay in Power Campaign.” These messages are claimed to constitute cyberstalking and defamation of Dr. Kanu’s character.
Prosecutor CPS Joan Bull presented evidence, including testimony from Bockarie Aiah Sillah, a fellow lecturer at Milton Magai University. Sillah testified that he was acquainted with both the complainant, Dr. Kanu, and the accused, Rogers. He explained that on November 1, 2022, Rogers began sending audio messages accusing Dr. Kanu of financial corruption and administrative mismanagement. Furthermore, Rogers allegedly made accusations of sexual harassment in these audio messages.
Sillah expressed his discomfort with the content of the messages, given his close professional relationship with Dr. Kanu. He indicated that he reported the incident to both the Adonkia Police Station and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During cross-examination, defense counsel Zacharia Kanu questioned Sillah’s role at the university and his connections with both Rogers and Dr. Kanu. Sillah confirmed he held no personal grievances against Rogers and had not disseminated false information about him. He did acknowledge being part of the WhatsApp group where the audio messages were shared but denied publishing the voice notes, stating that Rogers had admitted to creating and sharing the messages and later apologized for his actions.
The defense sought to introduce documents from the WhatsApp group as evidence; however, Prosecutor Bull objected, citing the documents’ lack of originality and unknown source. Magistrate Bangura ruled in favor of the objection.
Sillah further elaborated that the audio messages accused Dr. Kanu of corruption, mismanagement, and lacking an O’Level qualification. While he acknowledged the potential for voice note manipulation, he reiterated that Rogers had admitted to publishing the audio messages.
The defense requested an adjournment to continue cross-examining the witness, and the case was adjourned to March 24, 2025. Rogers remains on bail as proceedings continue.
