Nigerian National Charged with Cocaine Trafficking at Lungi Airport Appears in Court

A Nigerian citizen has appeared in court on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 pellets of cocaine through Lungi International Airport, highlighting concerns about drug trafficking at Sierra Leone’s main entry point.

The defendant, identified as Iwuchukwu Ebere Christian from Imo State, Nigeria, was brought before Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on charges related to drug possession and trafficking. Police reports indicate that Christian was allegedly found with forty-six pellets of cocaine at Lungi International Airport.

Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah presided over the session. Christian faces four charges: transportation of prohibited drugs, collection of prohibited drugs, dealing in possession of prohibited drugs, and possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority. These charges are brought under Section 7(B) of Sierra Leone’s National Drugs Control Act of 2008.

Prosecutor Nathaniel Williams informed the court that law enforcement officers apprehended Christian on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Lungi Airport in the Port Loko District. The police claim he was discovered transporting and dealing in illegal substances without proper legal authorization.

A plea was not entered during the brief hearing. The prosecution requested an adjournment, citing the recent receipt of the case file. Christian has been remanded in custody, with the next hearing scheduled for July 24, 2025.