By: Audrey Raymonda John
31 years old Maada Albert Jonathan Browne a business man and Hassan Hallowell a Petty trader made their first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone.
According to the particulars of offence on Wednesday 18th October 2023 at Wusum Hotel Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, Makeni the Northern province in Freetown were found in possession of prohibited drugs to wit, loose quantity of Kush contained in black polyethylene bags weighing 1.2 kilograms without lawful authority; and on count two the accused persons on the above date and place were found in possession of precursor chemical to wit Acetone contained in twelve transparent plastic containers with inscriptions, GULF spring water weighing 12000 milliliters, without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.
Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S Mansaray led third Prosecution witness (PW3) Franklin Browne a real estate agent. He recognized the first accused person as his son and the second accused person in this matter and recalled on the 17th September that he communicated with his son in his room about two plots of land located along Makeni and on the 18th his son went to the Land in question and called him on video call. The witness continued that his son took him round the said land and after few minutes he received a telephone call from his son that himself together with one Abass was arrested at the said piece of land.
Second Prosecution witness (PW2) Osman Turay a car dealer said he recognized the first accused person as his business partner and recall sometime in September 2023 the first accused person came to him for his vehicle the witness said he called the first accused person for his vehicle he told him that it was in the hands of the police he concludes.
The witness was cross examined by defense counsel H.M Gevao.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown and matter was adjourned to the 15th December 2023 for committal.