By: Audrey Raymonda John
Kumba Mansaray, Zainab Kamara and five others were on Tuesday 29th August 2023, sent to both Female and male correctional facility by Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No1 for unlawful possession of Large quantity of Kush without lawful authority.
The accused persons Kumba Mansaray, Zainab Kamara, Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, Magdalene Barrie, Sadistic Conteh, Abu bakarr Sankoh and Messie Jusu made their first appearance in court were arraigned on three counts charges ranging from Unlawful Possession Of Kush contrary to section 8(a) of the national drugs control Act 2008, Being found at a place used for smoking Kush contrary to section 49 (a) of the pharmacy and Drug Act 2008 and other related charged.
According to count one, the first accused Kumba Mansaray on Wednesday the 23rd August 2023, at No 8 Regent road Lumley Freetown, was found in possession of 31 wraps of Kush weighing 15.4 grams without lawful authority.
The police further alleged on count two that the second accused Zainab Kamara on the same date and place was found in possession of 9 wraps of Kush weighing 10.5 grams without lawful authority.
Whiles Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, Magdalene Barrie, Kadiatu Conteh, Abubakarr Sankoh and Messie Jusu on the same date and place were found in a place used for smoking Kush.
When the charges were read and explain to first and second accused persons, they did not take their plea because they were charge with a summary offence.
The third, fourth, fifth and sixth accused pleaded guilty to the offences of being found in a place used for smoking Kush whiles the seventh accused pleaded not guilty.
Lawyer H Thullah is defending the first and second accused.
Lawyer S Saa and M Vandy represent the third, fourth, fifth and` sixth accused persons, whiles B G Koroma represented the seventh accused.
The prosecutor ASP Dahlia Wellington requested an adjournment to bring the exhibits in court.
Magistrate Ngegba, however, remanded all the accused persons in prison and adjourned the matter to the 1st September 2023.