High Court Trial for Cline Town Headman on Drugs

Abraham Lesford, a headman residing in Cline Town, was committed to the High Court for further trial on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, after being found in possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority.

The defendant appeared before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1. Magistrate Jah ordered the case to be transferred to the High Court following the arraignment on charges of illegal possession.

According to the charges, Abraham Lesford was found in possession of a quantity of "kush" (cannabis) on Friday, 4 October 2024, at Cline Town in Freetown, in violation of Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008.

Magistrate Jah explained that a preliminary investigation was conducted, during which the prosecution, led by State Prosecutor Abubakarr Nat Taylor Kamara, called four witnesses to testify. The witnesses' testimonies were corroborated, and the accused was given the opportunity to cross-examine them.

After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Jah expressed confidence that the prosecution had presented sufficient proof against Lesford. The defendant was asked if he wished to testify at the High Court, and he responded affirmatively.

Lesford informed the court that he wished to alter the statements he made to police, claiming he was subjected to torture and was unwell at the time of his statements. He also expressed his intention to testify and call witnesses in his defense.

In light of these proceedings, Magistrate Jah committed the case to the High Court for further trial. The accused remains in custody.