Businessman Sent to Jail for Alleged Possession and Dealing in Prohibited Drugs

A 58-year-old businessman has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges of possessing and dealing in prohibited drugs. The court denied him bail and ordered that he be kept in prison pending further proceedings.

The accused, Dide Maxwell, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1 on Tuesday, 28th October 2025, where he faced three counts related to the unlawful possession and dealing of narcotic substances.

According to the particulars of the offence, on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at No. 58 Mac-Robert Street, Bo, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, Maxwell was found in possession of 148 wraps and one sachet of Kush, a banned substance. He was also allegedly found with half a compressed parcel of Cannabis Sativa, another prohibited drug.

The charges further allege that Maxwell dealt in these substances without lawful authority.

When the charges were read and explained to him, Maxwell did not enter a plea. Under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024, all witness testimonies had already been taken at the police station under oath.

State Prosecutor A.B.N. Taylor Kamara Esq. informed the court that he had received no objections from the defense counsel. He tendered several key documents, including the laboratory analysis report dated 29th September 2025, the forensic analysis report, arresting officers’ reports, DPP advice, and the voluntary caution statement of the accused, in accordance with Sections 112(C) and 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act.

The defense did not object to the evidence presented. In her ruling on the bail application, Magistrate Jah refused bail and ordered that Maxwell be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.

The case was adjourned to 29th November 2025 for further hearing.