High Court Grants Strict Bail Conditions for Jahid Basma and Co-Accused

The High Court of Justice in Sierra Leone has granted bail to Jahid Basma and his co-accused, imposing stringent conditions that underscore the gravity of the charges they face. The ruling, delivered by Justice Stevens JA on Thursday, comes after a prolonged legal battle, reflecting the court’s cautious approach in balancing the rights of the accused with concerns for justice and public safety.

The court stipulated that each accused must present one surety who must reside within Freetown at a recognized address. Notably, the surety must be a property owner with assets valued at no less than one million United States dollars. This high financial threshold indicates the seriousness of the case and the court’s intention to ensure the accused remain within the jurisdiction.

In addition to the financial conditions, the court ordered the surrender of all travel documents held by the accused, including Sierra Leonean and Lebanese passports. This measure is designed to prevent any attempt to flee the country while the case is ongoing.

Further, the accused are restricted from traveling outside of Freetown and are required to report to the Master and Registrar twice weekly, every Wednesday and Friday at midday. This frequent reporting is intended to monitor their whereabouts and ensure compliance with the court’s orders.

Moreover, the court has directed the Master and Registrar to formally notify the Immigration Department, reinforcing the travel ban imposed on the accused. They will not be allowed to leave Sierra Leone without explicit permission from the presiding judge.