In a landmark verdict, Justice Adrian Fisher handed down a significant judgment on Monday, October 16, 2023, sentencing 22-year-old student Chernor Barrie to a 13-year prison term.
The sentence comes as a result of his involvement in migrant smuggling, which stands in direct violation of Section 20(1) of the newly enacted Anti-Human Trafficking & Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022.
The convicted individual had received $4,000 from the complainant, Memunatu Jalloh, with the purpose of facilitating her journey and stay in France.
As part of the judgment, the court ordered that the victim be compensated with a sum of 81 million Leones.
This case holds special significance as it marks the first legal action taken under the provisions of the new Human Trafficking Law, which was enacted in 2022. It sends a clear message about the government’s commitment to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, aiming to protect vulnerable individuals from such crimes.
