By: Audrey Raymonda John
Four (4) of the dismissed Police officers, Haja Safinatu Conteh, Alpha Kargbo, Ibrahim Collier Hazeley, and Mohamed Nabieu, have on Monday 28th November 2022, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Pademba Road Court No.1. for possession of drugs which include Kush and cannabis sativa.
The four Police Officers were charged with six counts offences of unlawful possession of cannabis sativa, Kush and tramadol all contrary to section 48 (1) of the pharmacy and drugs Act of 2001.
The particulars of offence indicated that the first accused Haja Safinatu Conteh on Tuesday 8th November 2022, at SILEA campus, police training school Hastings, was found in possession of two hundred and twenty-six (226) wraps of cannabis sativa contained in a black plastic bag weighing at 20 grams without lawful authority.
The second accused Alpha Kargbo on the same day and place, was found in possession of ten (10) wraps of kush contained in a medical sachet weighing at 0.4 grams without lawful authority and was also found in possession of six tablets of tramadol also contained in a medical sachet weighing 0.2 grams without lawful authority.
Ibrahim Collier Hazeley was also found in possession of one wrap of cannabis sativa weighing 0.4 grams without lawful authority and Santigie Turay, also found in possession of one wrap of cannabis sativa weighing 0.4 grams, while Mohamed Nabieu was found in possession of one wrap of kush weighing 0.2 gram without lawful authority.
The first second, third and fifth accused pleaded guilty, while the fourth accused Santigie Turay pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned.
At this stage, Police Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray applied for a subpoena to be sent to the Exhibit Clerk in order to produce the exhibits of this matter in court.
Defense Counsel S. Sankoh Esq. for the 4th accused requested bail for his client citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
The learned Lawyer assured the Bench that the fourth accused would not jump bail or interfere with prosecution if bail was granted.
Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and adjourned the matter on Monday 5th December, 2022.