Search and seizure - national proceedings

Sierra Leone

The Criminal Procedure Act

PART I – GENERAL PROVISIONS PROCEDURE

PROCESS AGAINST THE ACCUSED OR DEFENDANT

35. A search warrant issued by a Court, Judge, Magistrate or Justice of the Peace in the Western Area, or by a Court, Judge, Magistrate or Justice of the Peace in any district in the Provinces, for the discovery of any property stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained may be executed in any part of the Western Area, or in any district of the Provinces, although such part or district is outside the jurisdiction of the Court, Judge, Magistrate or Justice of the Peace issuing the said warrant, and in every case in which any property alleged to have been stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained is seized in pursuance of this section, it shall be lawful for the constable or other person to whom the search warrant was directed, without any special authority in that behalf, to arrest the person on whose premises the property was at the time of seizure, or the person from whom it was taken, if other than the person on whose premises it was, and take him before the Court within whose jurisdiction the seizure was made, to account for his possession of such property ; and in every such case the Court before whom such person shall be brought shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter notwithstanding that the alleged offence was committed outside the jurisdiction of the said Court.

Rome Statute

Article 93 Other forms of cooperation

1. States Parties shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Part and under procedures of national law, comply with requests by the Court to provide the following assistance in relation to investigations or prosecutions:

(h) The execution of searches and seizures;