Chief Justice Issues Strict New Rules for Drug Offences

The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda, has issued a new practice direction that will reshape how courts handle drug-related offences.

The directive, issued under the authority of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008, came into effect on 1 December 2025.

The memorandum was circulated to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, all judges and magistrates, and the Master and Registrar, signaling a coordinated approach across the judiciary. Under the new guidance, all drug-related charges under the Act must now be concluded in the High Court, with bail granted only in accordance with section 76, subsection 1 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024.

The directive also mandates the speedy trial of all drug-related cases, allowing judges and magistrates to sit on Saturdays if necessary. Custodial sentences are mandatory for anyone found guilty under the Act, with a minimum prison term of thirty years for offences under sections 7A to 7C, reflecting strict penalties for serious crimes.

Justice Kamanda indicated that the practice direction will remain in force until further notice, emphasizing the judiciary’s commitment to consistent enforcement and tackling illegal drug activity in Sierra Leone.

Dated 1 December 2025, the memorandum represents a significant step in strengthening the country’s judicial response to drug offences and ensuring justice is delivered efficiently and rigorously.