By Alimatu Kargbo
A Calaba Town resident, Kawusu Jabbie, is facing trial before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown over allegations of carrying out construction and development without the required approvals.
Jabbie is facing charges including unauthorised construction, unauthorised development in an environmentally sensitive area, failure to comply with a stop-work order and tampering with approved infrastructure, under the National Country Planning Act 2025.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly began constructing a house on 4 June 2026, off Wilkinson Road, Freetown, without the required building permit or approved structural plan.
He is also accused of changing the use of a drainage area without planning permission, undertaking development in a wetland, floodplain or conservation area without environmental clearance, continuing construction after being served with a stop-work order, and interfering with approved infrastructure, including roads and drainage systems.
ASP Wellington is prosecuting, while A. Fornah and S. Bangura, Esq., are representing the accused.
During the proceedings, the prosecution called a witness identified as Johnny, a Director at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, whose responsibilities include ensuring orderly and planned physical development across the country.
The witness told the court that he received a complaint concerning the accused’s construction, particularly allegations that the structure had encroached on a boundary and a drainage area.
He said officials visited the site to verify the complaint and allegedly discovered that the accused had encroached on a boundary and erected a structure over a storm-water drainage route.
The witness acknowledged that other structures had also been constructed along the drainage line further upstream, but said the authorities were currently dealing with the structure attributed to the accused.
He told the court that he conducted an assessment of the drainage around the accused’s structure and documented the hazards observed during the site visit.
According to the witness, the alleged encroachment into the waterway has contributed to flooding in the surrounding community.
He further testified that the structure had made it difficult for emergency vehicles, including fire engines and ambulances, to access the Crown Bakery area.
The witness said there had previously been a clear road providing access to the area before the accused’s structure was erected.
The defence requested another date for further cross-examination.
The matter was adjourned to 21 August 2026 for further proceedings.
