Two Men Remanded for Leaking President Bio’s Travel Manifest

On Tuesday, 23rd September 2025, Mohamed Abu Turay and Abdul Kanu appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on charges relating to the unlawful disclosure of President Julius Maada Bio’s travel manifest.

The two accused are charged under the Treason and State Security Act of 1963, with two counts of wrongful communication of a government document, contrary to Section 7(1)(a) of the Act, as amended. According to the particulars of the offense, between 20th and 30th August 2025, Kanu was in possession of the President’s manifest and unlawfully shared it with Turay, who is alleged to have further disclosed the information to a contact in Dubai.

The charges were read and explained to the accused, but no plea was taken. Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Essay Esq. informed the court that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice had filed written consent for the trial.

In his submission, defense counsel J. Wales requested 14 days to prepare witnesses and serve relevant documents. He also applied for bail, arguing that the accused had already been in detention for 23 days without bail, were Sierra Leoneans residing locally, had no prior criminal record, and had fully cooperated with investigators.