Twelve Defendants Committed to High Court Trial for Drug Offences

Twelve Defendants Committed to High Court Trial for Drug Offences

In a swift judicial response aligning with the National Drugs Control Act 2008 and a Practice Direction from the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Kumba Kamanda, mandating the speedy adjudication of drug-related cases, Magistrate Hadiru Daboh in Kenema has committed twelve defendants to stand trial at the High Court of Sierra Leone. This committal was executed on Saturday, January 31, 2026, less than four weeks after the defendants' initial court appearance.

The twelve individuals face charges of prohibition of possession and use of drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008. The alleged offences involve the possession of 'Kush' and Cannabis sativa in varying quantities across Kenema District. For instance, Amara Ansu was allegedly found with seventeen wraps of 'Kush,' while Lansana Conteh was allegedly in possession of forty-five wraps.

No pleas were entered, and bail was denied, resulting in the remand of all twelve defendants at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema pending their High Court trial.

In his ruling, Magistrate Daboh asserted that, having meticulously reviewed the evidence presented, the prosecution had fully discharged its duty, thereby necessitating the committal of the matters to the High Court. The cases were prosecuted by Police Sergeant 10734 David Idriss.