By: Audrey Raymonda John
Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, Magdalene Barrie, Kadiatu Conteh and Abu Bakarr Sankoh were on 1st September 2023, fine eight hundred thousand new Leones (Le 800.000) or served a jailed term of 8 months at the correctional centre in Freetown.
Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Court No1 after they pleaded guilty to the offence of being found at a place used for smoking Kush sentenced three accused persons and granted bail to one.
The four accused persons were charge to court for being found at a place used for smoking Kush contrary to section 49(a) of the pharmacy and drug Act 2008. Whiles the first accused Kumba Mansaray and Zainab Kamara were arraigned on one count each of unlawful possession of Kush.
According to the charge, the Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, Magdalene Barrie, Kadiatu Conteh, Abu bakarr Sankoh Messie Jusu on Wednesday 23rd August at Regent road Lumley Freetown were found at a place used for smoking Kush.
The police further alleged that Kumba Mansaray was found in possession of 31 wraps of Kush and Zainab Kamara 9 wraps without lawful authority.
Prior to the sentencing, prosecution witness No 1 Detective Sergeant 8773 Fatmata Turay led in evidence by ASP Dahlia said she is attached to the CID Lumley police station and recognized the first and second accused persons.
She said on Wednesday 23rd August 2023, whiles on duty at CID Lumley, the operation team led by ASP Francis Tommy arrested and brought in first and second accused for the offence of unlawful possession of Kush and the matter was allocated to her for further investigation.
Upon receipt of the file, the witness said the arresting officer PC 18371 Kamara I submitted the report of 31 wraps of Kush that was found in possession of first accused and 9 wraps which was found in possession of a second accused.
On the 23rd August 2023, herself and detective Sergeant 13830 Dumbuya A obtained statement from both accused persons.
The charged statements of first and second accused persons were tender in court respectively.
She added that on the same date a request was sent to the Forensic expert for their opinion in respect of the substance received.
She added that on the 25th August 2023, both accused persons were charge for the offences of unlawful possession of Kush. The said charge statements were produced and tender as exhibits respectively.
During cross examination by lawyer Thullah, the witness said she has been a police officer for 8 years now, and came to know the accused persons on the day of their arrest.
Lawyer H Thullah applied for bail on behalf of the first and second accused persons pursuant to section 79 sub section 2 and 3 the criminal procedure Act 19165.
The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th accused on Monday 28th August 2023 pleaded guilty to the offence of being found at a place used for smoking Kush whiles the seventh accused Messie Jusu pleaded not guilty.
After the testimony of this witness, Magistrate Ngegba fine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accused persons the sum, of 800 new Leones or served a jailed term of 8 months imprisonment whiles the 4th accused was granted bail in the sum of 50 thousand new Leones to be approved by DAR and the matter was adjourned to the 6th September 2023.