Miner Committed to High Court for Outrageous Cannabis Possession

Miner Committed to High Court for Outrageous Cannabis Possession

Aiah Matturie, a diamond miner, was found in possession of two bales, three wraps, and twenty compressed parcels of cannabis sativa. He has been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. 

Matturie faces three charges: possession of prohibited drugs, transportation of prohibited drugs, and dealing in prohibited substances without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act of 2008.

Police reports indicate that on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Maseneh Police Checkpoint along the Magburaka-Matotoka highway, Matturie was found with the cannabis sativa. It was also alleged that on the same date and location, he was involved in dealing and transporting prohibited drugs.

The accused did not enter a plea as the matter is still in the preliminary investigation stage.

State Prosecutor A.B.N. Taylor Kamara argued that the prosecution had presented sufficient prima facie evidence that Matturie was in direct possession of the prohibited substance and lacked lawful authority to transport it, urging the court to commit him to the High Court for trial.

Magistrate Braima Jah, in his ruling, stated that he had carefully examined the evidence, including witness testimonies and exhibits. He confirmed that the substance tested positive for cannabis sativa and that the accused had failed to provide any legal justification for possessing such a large quantity.

Magistrate Jah emphasized that the lower court's role is to determine if sufficient evidence exists for a High Court trial. He concluded that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case linking Matturie to the alleged offenses.

Consequently, Magistrate Jah ruled that there was enough evidence to commit Aiah Matturie for trial before the High Court in Freetown. The accused has been remanded in custody pending his appearance before the superior court.