CHAPTER 87.
UNDESIRABLE BRITISH SUBJECTS CONTROI.J.
An Ordinance to Control the Movements of Undesirable British 25 of 1939.
SubJ. ects and for similar purposes. 18 of 1
940.
10 of 1956.
[1ST JULY, 1939.)
1. This Ordinance may be cited as the Undesirable British Short title
Subjects Control Ordinance and shall apply to the Colony and ~;~Iication.
Protectorate.
requrres-
2. . (I) In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise Interpretation.
10 of 1956.
"British subject" includes a British protected person who
js a native of Sierra Leone ;
" Trust territory " means a territory admi.-·1istered by the
Government of any part of Her Majesty's dominions under
the trusteeship system of the United Nations;
" deportation order " means an order requiring the person
in respect of whom it is made to leave and remain out of
Sierra Leone;
" restriction order " means an order prohibiting the person
in respect of whom it is made from entering or from leaving
an area within Sierra Leone without the consent of the officer
specified in the Order;
" security order " means an order requiring the person in
respect of whom it is made to give security in two or more
solvent sureties in such amount and for such time as may be
therein specified to keep the peace and to be of good behaviour, or for indemnifying public funds for all costs, charges
and expenses incurred in his regard, or for both such purposes,
as may be appropriate in the case;
" person charged " means a person in respect of whom it
is alleged that there are grounds for making a deportation
order or restriction order or security order under this
Ordinance and includes a person in respect of whom such an
order has been made;
"Judge" means a Judge of the Supreme Court;
" convicted person " means a person in respect of whom
any Court certifies to the Governor that he has been convicted, either by that Court or by any inferior Court from
which his case has been brought by way of appeal, of any
offence punishable with imprisonment otherwise than only
in default of payment of a fine;
" undesirable person " means a person who is or has been
conducting himself so as to be dangerous to peace, good order,
good government, or public morals;
" destitute person " means a person who is, or is likely to
be, a charge upon public funds by reason of mental or bodily
health or insufficiency of means to support himself and his
dependants (if any);
" prohibited immigrant " means any person who has
entered Sierra Leone contrary to the provisions of any
Ordinance being in force relating to the restriction of immigration, but in the opinion of the Court by which he has
been convicted of so doing, or of the Governor in Council,
did not thereby infringe the provisions of such Ordinance
wilfully.
(2) This Ordinance shaH have effect in relation to citizens of 10 of 1956.
the Republic of Ireland who are not British subjects in like
manner as it has effect in relation to British subjects.
(3) For the purposes of this Ordinance a person shall be
deemed to belong to Sierra Leone, if he or she is a British subject
and-
(a) was born in Sierra Leone or of parents who at the time
of his or her birth were domiciled or ordinarily resident in
Sierra Leone; or
(b) has been ordinarily resident in Sierra Leone continuously for a period of seven years or more and since the
completion of such period of residence has not been ordinarily
resident continuously for a period of seven years or more in
any other part of Her Majesty's dominions or in India or in
Pakistan or in the Republic of Ireland or in any other
territory under Her Majesty's protection or in any trust
territory or in South West Africa; or
(c) obtained the status of a British subject by reason of the
grant by the Governor of a certificate of naturalisation under
the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, or the
British Nationality Act, 1948, or the Aliens Naturalisation
and Acquisition of Property Ordinance; or
(d) is the wife of a person to whom any of the foregoing
paragraphs applies not living apart from such person under
a decree of a competent court or a deed of separation; or
(e) is a child, stepchild or adopted child having been
adopted in a manner recognised by law, under the age of
eighteen years, of a person to whom any of the foregoing
paragraphs applies.
(4) For the purposes of this Ordinance a person shall be
deemed an immigrant British subject if he is a British subject
at the date of the service upon him of a notice under section 7 of
this Ordinance, or, in the case of a convicted person, at the date
upon which he is charged with the offence and either he has
been ordinarily resident in Sierra Leone immediately before that
date for less than-
(a) in the case of a prohibited immigrant, a period of three
months;
(b) in the case of a convicted person other than a person
who is a convicted person solely by reason of his being a
10 of 1956.
Cap. 84.
lOOO
Power to
make
deportation
orders.
Power to
make
restriction
orders.
Power to
make
security
orders.
prohibited immigrant or of an undesirable person, a period
of two years; and
(c) in the case of a destitute person, a period of one year;
or the Secretary of State shall have approved of the making of
a deportation order against him before it is made:
Provided that in determining whether any person is an
immigrant British subject, any period during which a deportation order, a restriction order or a security order made under this
Ordinance has been in force as respects that person shall not be
taken into account.
3. Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Governor
in Council may, if he thinks fit, make a deportation order in
respect of an immigrant British subject who does not belong to
Sierra Leone and who is-
(a) a convicted person in respect of whom the Court
certifying to the Governor that he has been convicted
recommends that a deportation order should be made hJ. his
case, either in addition to or in lieu of sentence; or
(b) an undesirable person; or
(c) a destitute person; or
(d) a prohibited immigrant.
4. Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the Governor
in Council may, if he thinks fit, make a restriction order in
respect of any British subject who is-
(a) a convicted person in respect of whom the Court
certifying to the Governor that he has been convicted
recommends that a deportation order or a restriction order
should be made in his case, either in addition to or in lieu
of sentence; or
(b) an undesirable person.
5. (I) Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, the
Governor in Council may, if he thinks fit, make a security order
in respect of any British subject who is-
(a) a convicted person in respect of whom the Court
certifying to the Governor that he has been convicted
recommends that a deportation order or a restriction order
or a security order in conjunction with either of those orders
should be made in his case, either in addition to or in lieu of
sentence; or
(b) an undesirable person;
or in the case of an immigrant British subject who does not
belong to Sierra Leone;
(c) a destitute person; or
(d) a prohibited immigrant.
(2) Where a security order is made as aforesaid, a clepOTtation
order or a restriction order, as in the case may be lawful and
desirable, shall be made in conjunction therewith to come into
force upon defaurt of compliance with the security order within
a time therein fixed but not otherwise.
(3) Where a security order has been complied with, the
order shall, for the purposes of this Ordinance, be deemed to
remain in force so long as the security given thereunder subsists,
and where a security order is revoked the said security shall
cease to have effect.
6. Except where a Court has in accordance with the provisions Proc~dure for
of this Ordinance given a certificate recommending that an :~~~~
order should be made, no deportation order, restriction order or
security order shall be made under this Ordinance except where
a Judge has, in accordance with the provisions of the next
following two sections, made a report on the case and the
Governor in Council is satisfied, having regard to the findings of
fact and any conclusions of law as stated in the report, that
such order may lawfully be made.
C 7. (9 A notficpe 1~ignehd llbby the Adttorneyh General 9r thde ~~~~~ea~~
omnllSSIOner 0 0 ICe S a e serve upon t e person Charge arrest.
specifying, with sufficient particulars to give him reasonable
information as to the nature of the facts alleged against him,
the grounds upon which it is alleged that an order may be made
against him under this Ordinance, and requiring him to show
cause, before a Judge in chambers at a time to be stated in the
notice, why such order should not be made in respect of him.
(2) In the case where it is proposed that a deportation order
should be made but such order cannot be made without the
approval of the Secretary of State, the notice shall contain
information to that effect.
(3) In any case where it is intended to take proceedings
against any person under this Ordinance on the ground that he
is an undesirable person, and it is represented on oath or
affidavit to a Judge in chambers that that person is an
undesirable person, the Judge may issue a warrant for his
arrest, and if the notice mentioned in sub-section (I) of this
Powers of
Judge.
Detention in
custody
pending
decision.
Cap. 87] Undesirable British Sub;'ects Control
section shall not have already been served upon him it shaH be
so served not later than twenty-four hours after his apprehension.
8. (1) At the time appointed in the notice served under the
foregoing section or at any adjournment of the hearing the
Judge shall take such evidence upon oath as is tendered in
support of the charges, and the witnesses may be cross-examined
by the person charged or his counsel and the person charged
may on his own behalf call such witnesses and tender such
other evidence as may be relevant upon the questions at issue.
(2) The Judge may have regard to any information brought
before him which shall have been officially received by the
Governor from a Secretary of State or from the Officer
Administering the Government of any British Colony or
Protectorate or of any territory a mandate for which is being
exercised by the Government of some part of Her Majesty's
Dominions, or from any foreign minister, or from any Officer
Administering the Government of any foreign Colony, Protectorate or Territory and in every case where such information is
intended to be brought before the Judge the person charged
shall be entitled a reasonable time before it is used to a copy of
the document containing such information, or a note of the
substance thereof, or a copy or note of so much of the substance
of the contents of the document as is intended to be used.
(3) The Judge, after considering the evidence adduced before
him and calling any further evidence which he may consider to
be desirable, shall make a report to the Governor setting out his
findings of fact and his conclusions on any questions of law
involved, and, if he thinks fit, making a recommendation as to
the issue in the case of any order or orders under this Ordinance.
9. Wbere a Judge completes an enquiry under the preceding
section or a Court recommends the making of a deportation
order or restriction order or security order on the grounds that
the person charged is an undesirable person or a convicted
person, the person charged may, if the Judge or Court, as the
case may be, shall so order, be detained in such manner as the
Judge or Court may direct pending the decision of the Governor
in Council for a period not exceeding twenty eight days and,
where reference to the Secretary of State is necessary before a
deportation order is made, such further period as may be
necessary for that purpose, and shall be deemed to be in legal
custody whilst so detained.
Undesirable British SubJects Control [Cap. 87 1003
10. Every restriction order shall state the area or areas CoJtents of
which the person to whom it relates is prohibited from entering or ers.
or leaving.
(2) A deportation order or restriction order may be expressed
to be in force for a time limited therein or for an unlim.ited time,
and, when the person charged is not taken into custody pending
the execution thereof, shall prescribe a time within which the
person charged may of his own volition comply therewith.
(3) A restriction order may require the person charged to
report himself to such officer and at such times and intervals
as may be stated in the order.
11. (1) As soon as practicable after a deportation order or Execution of
restriction order or security order is made, a copy thereof shall orders.
be served upon the person charged together with a summary
of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, if any, as stated
in the report made under section 8 of this Ordinance.
(2) A person with respect to whom a security order has been
made may be detained in such manner as may be directed by
the Governor until such order shall have been complied with:
Provided that, without prejudice to the provisions of
sub-sections (3) and {4) of this section where the security order
is not complied with, no person shall be detained under this
sub-section for a period exceeding twenty-eight days.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (5) of this section
a person with respect to whom a deportation order is in force
may be detained in such manner as may be directed by the
Governor, and may be placed on a ship about to leave Sierra
Leone and shall be deemed to be in legal custody while so
detained and until the ship finally leaves Sierra Leone.
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (5) of this section
a person with respect to whom a restriction order is in force
may be detained in such manner as may be directed by the
Governor so far as necessary for the purpose of removing him
from any place which he is prohibited from entering or to any
place which he is prohibited from leaving, and shall be deemed
to be in legal custody while so detained.
(5) No person shall be detained under sub-section (3) or
sub-section (4) of this section for a period exceeding twenty-eight
days and, if at the expiration of such period he has not been
removed or deported as aforesaid, the restriction order or
deportation order as the case may be shall cease to have effect.
Expenses.
Persons
undergoing
sentence.
Revocation
and variation
of orders.
(6) The Master of a ship about to call at any port outside
Sierra Leone shall, if so required by the Governor or by an
Immigration Officer, receive a person against whom a deportation order has been made and his dependants (if any) on board
the ship and afford him and them a passage to that port and
proper accommodation and maintenance during the passage.
12. (1) Where a deportation order is made, the Governor
may, if he thinks fit, apply any money or property of the person
charged in payment of the whole or any part of the expenses
of or incidental to the voyage from Sierra Leone and the
maintenance until departure of that person and his dependants
(if any).
(2) Where a restriction order is made, the Governor may,
if he thinks fit, apply any money or property of the person
charged in payment of the whole or any part of the expenses of
or incidental to the removal of that person to any place in
pursuance of that order and, if necessary, the maintenance of
that person while the order is in force.
(3) Except so far as they are defrayed under the preceding
sub-sections any such expenses shall be payable out of public
funds.
13. If a person in respect of whom a security order or restriction order or deportation order is made under this Ordinance
has been sentenced to any term of imprisonment, such sentence
shall be served before the order is carried into effect unless the
Governor otherwise directs.
14. (1) The Governor in Council by order may-
(a) at any time revoke any deportation order or restriction
order or security order;
(b) vary any restriction order so as to permit the person
therein mentioned to enter or leave any area which he is
prohibited from entering or leaving, and may attach to the
permission conditions as to security for good behaviour or
otherwise, and may also vary, cancel or add a condition
requiring such person to report himself;
(c) vary a deportation order so as to permit the person
mentioned therein to enter Sierra Leone and may attach to
such permission conditions as to security or otherwise.
(2) Any order made under paragraph (b) or paragraph (c)
of the preceding sub-section may be expressed to have effect
for the duration of the order thereby varied or for any lesser
period.
(3) As soon as practicable after an order has been made
under this section a copy thereof shall be served upon or sent
to the person in respect of whom it is made.
15. (I) If a person in respect of whom a restriction order is
in force leaves or attempts to leave or enters or attempts to
enter any area in contravention of the provisions of the order,
or wilfully neglects or refuses to report himself as ordered, or
having, in pursuance of permission given as hereinbefore provided, left or entered any place, wilfully fails to observe any
condition attached to such permission, he shall be liable on
summary conviction to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
six months or to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or both such
imprisonment and fine, and to be again removed under the
original order and the provisions of sections 11, 12 and 13 shall
apply accordingly.
(2) If a person in respect of whom a deportation order is in
force returns or attempts to return to Sierra Leone in contravention of the provisions of the order, or having entered Sierra
Leone in pursuance of permission given as hereinbefore provided,
wilfully fails to observe any condition attached to such permission, he shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment
for a period not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding
fifty pounds or both such imprisonment and fine, and to be
again deported under the original order and the provisions of
sections 11, 12 and 13 shall apply accordingly.
(3) Nothing in this section shall prevent the making of a
restriction order or a deportation order in accordance with the
provisions of this Ordinance in consequence of a conviction for
an offence under this Ordinance.
Penalties for
breach of
order.
16. Any person who, without lawful excuse, knowingly hPenbalty_for
h b 1 h ar ourmg.
ar ours or concea s any person w o-
(a) is within Sierra Leone or an area thereof in contravention of the terms of a deportation order or restriction
order, or
(b) having entered Sierra Leone or any area thereof in
pursuance of permission given as hereinbefore provided, has
wilfu~ly. failed to observe any condition attached to such
permissiOn,
shall on summary conviction be liable to imprisonment for a
period not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding fifty
pounds or both such imprisonment and fine.
S.L.-VoL. II-29
Institution of
proceedings.
Evidence.
Report to
Secretary of
State.
Directions of
Governor as
to communications of
persons
against whom
an order has
been made.
17. No proceedings shall be instituted under this Ordinance
except with the previous sanction of the Attorney General in
writing.
18. In any proceedings under this Ordinance-
(!) the burden of proof that the person charged belongs to
Sierra Leone shall be upon that person;
(2) a document purporting to be an order made under this
Ordinance shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to
be such an order; and
(3) any order made under this Ordinance shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have been validly
made and to have been made on the date upon which it
purports to have been made.
19. The Governor shall forthwith report to the Secretary of
State every order made by him under this Ordinance and the
grounds thereof and the proceedings thereunder.
20. Where an Order has been made under this Ordinance in
respect of any person the Governor may give such directions
as may to him seem fit to any public officer to examine, withhold
or detain any letters or documents of any sort, literature, parcels
or other matter whatsoever whether postal or otherwise and
any cables or telegrams which emanate or appear to emanate
from or are intended to appear to be intended for such person:
Provided that no premises shall be searched in order to give
effect to such directions unless a Magistrate shall, after being
satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable
grounds for believing that some letter, telegram or other document to which the directions relate is within any specified
premises, by warrant authorise the entry, by force if necessary,
and search of such premises and the seizure of any letter,
telegram or other document found therein:
And provided further that no letter, telegram or other
document or matter having reference only to the private affairs
of such person or to the proceedings as a result of which the
Order under this Ordinance has been made shall be withheld or
detained:
And provided further that the provisionE: of this section shall
not apply where an Order under this Ordinance has been made
against any person on the grounds that he is a destitute person.
Undesirable British Subjects Control (Cap. 87 1007
21. The Governor in Council may from time to time give Pabyt?etnt of
. . f su SIS ence
d1rectwns for the payment of such money from the funds o allowance.
the Colony as may seem to him to be reasonable and in such
instalments as he may think fit for the subsistence of any person
against whom a deportation order or a restriction order has
been made.
22. {l) The Governor in Council may make rules for carrying Rules.
this Ordinance into effect.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of
the foregoing power, such rules may-
(a) prohibit, restrict and regulate the communications of
any person in respect of whom a deportation or restriction
order has been made with any other person either within or
without Sierra Leone and vice versa, and
(b) provide for the safe detention of or the restriction of
the movements of any person in respect of whom a deportation
order or restriction order has been made.
(3) Unless and until amended, varied or revoked by the
Governor in Council under this section, the rules set out in the
schedule to this Ordinance shall have effect as if they had du]y
been made under this section and shall come into force simultaneously with this Ordinance.
(4) All rules made under this Ordinance shaH have the same
effect as if they had been enacted in this Ordinance.
(5) Such rules may impose a fine not exceeding one hundred
pounds or a period of imprisonment not exceeding one year or
both such fine and imprisonment for the breach of any rule duly
made by or under the provisions of this Ordinance.
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