By: Audrey Raymonda John
Aiah Matturie, a diamond miner, has been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, on charges related to the possession, transportation, and dealing of prohibited drugs.
Matturie faces three charges: possession of prohibited drugs, transportation of prohibited drugs, and dealing in prohibited drugs without lawful authority, in violation of Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act of 2008.
According to police reports, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, at the Maseneh Police Checkpoint along the Magburaka-Matotoka highway, Matturie was found in possession of two bales, three wraps, and twenty compressed parcels of cannabis sativa (marijuana) without lawful authority. It was further alleged that on the same date and location, Matturie was also transporting and dealing in the prohibited substance.
When the charges were read to the accused, no plea was taken, as the case remains at the preliminary investigation stage.
State Prosecutor A.B.N. Taylor Kamara informed the court that the prosecution had presented sufficient prima facie evidence, indicating that Matturie was found in direct possession of the prohibited drugs and had no legal authorization to transport them. He urged the court to commit the case to the High Court for trial.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that he had thoroughly examined the evidence, including witness testimonies and exhibits provided by the prosecution. He noted that the substance tested positive for cannabis sativa, and the accused failed to offer any legal justification for possessing such a large quantity.
Magistrate Jah emphasized that the lower court’s role at this stage was only to determine if there was enough evidence to proceed with a trial in the High Court. He concluded that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the accused.
As a result, Magistrate Jah ruled that Aiah Matturie be committed to stand trial in the High Court in Freetown. He ordered that Matturie be remanded in custody until his appearance in the superior court.