By: Audrey Raymonda John
The ongoing drug case against Charles Udom, a Nigerian national, was once again heard before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2, where the accused faced four charges related to drug possession.
The charges include collecting a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 7(b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008, transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority, also contrary to Section 7(b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008, dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 7(c) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008 and possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the police charge sheet, on Sunday, 23rd March 2025, at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone, the accused was found to have collected a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
The second count stated that Udom transported the prohibited drug from the same location on the same date. The third charge alleged that Udom was dealing in the drug, while the fourth charge confirmed that he was found in possession of twenty-five (25) pellets of cocaine without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was entered.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, the prosecutor, led three witnesses to testify in the case.
In his judgment, Magistrate Fornah stated that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to warrant the commitment of the case to the High Court for further trial. As a result, Charles Udom was committed to the High Court without bail and was remanded to the male correctional facility in Freetown.