Zainab Samura Sentenced to 45 Years for Drug Crimes

Zainab Samura Sentenced to 45 Years for Drug Crimes

On June 3, 2026, Justice Mark Ngegba of High Court No. 3 in Freetown delivered a judgment against Zainab Bintu Samura, following her conviction for drug possession and trafficking. 

The defendant was arrested on November 6, 2025, at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court while attempting to transfer 210 Tramadol tablets, 40 grams of cannabis sativa, and 60 grams of kush to a detainee.

The prosecution successfully established guilt on six counts, encompassing violations of Sections 8(a) and 7(c) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008. Forensic analysis confirmed the identity of the illicit substances, and the court invoked the statutory presumption under Section 57 of the Act regarding the representative nature of tested samples. 

Despite the defendant’s claim of lack of knowledge regarding the bag's contents, the court found the evidence sufficient to prove unlawful possession without authority.

The court imposed a cumulative sentence of 45 years imprisonment: 15 years for each of the three counts of dealing in prohibited substances and 5 years for each of the three counts of unlawful possession. 

The sentences are to be served concurrently.