By: Audrey Raymonda John
A tense and dramatic scene unfolded at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 in Freetown when Zainab B. Samura, the wife of accused Joseph Kabia, alias “Manager,” was caught attempting to smuggle an assortment of illegal drugs to her husband during his ongoing court trial.
Joseph Kabia is currently facing seventeen charges, including forgery, possession of arms without a license, forging bank notes, and unlawful concealment of ammunition, among other offenses. On the day of the incident, Kabia was seated in court when his wife arrived carrying a black handbag that contained a white plastic bag.
In an apparent attempt to go unnoticed, Zainab slipped the suspicious bag under her husband’s seat during the proceedings. However, her actions were quickly spotted by alert prison officers, Madina Sesay and Isha Bundu, who were stationed at the courthouse. Upon investigating, the officers retrieved the bag from under Kabia’s seat and found it contained assorted prohibited drugs.
The discovery caused an immediate stir in the courtroom, with onlookers realizing the severity of the breach. When Joseph Kabia saw the officers seize the bag, he reportedly tried to grab it back, nearly leading to a physical altercation. However, the officers were able to restrain him without further incident, as other visitors, including Mariama B. Sesay, looked on in shock.
Zainab Samura was immediately arrested and taken into police custody for further questioning. Sources close to the police confirmed that she is likely to face charges under the National Drug Control Act of 2008 for attempting to smuggle prohibited substances into the courtroom without lawful authority.
Court officials described the incident as a serious security breach, emphasizing the risks posed by visitors attempting to pass contraband to accused individuals in custody. A senior officer noted, “Court security must remain vigilant at all times, as attempts like this endanger both the judicial process and the safety of court staff and visitors.”
Joseph Kabia remains in remand custody, having been committed to stand trial in the High Court. Investigations into his wife’s arrest are ongoing, and authorities have indicated that tighter security measures may be implemented to prevent future attempts to smuggle contraband into courtrooms.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as tense and chaotic, with many shocked by the audacity of the attempt to hide drugs under an accused person’s seat. The scene left many in the courtroom rattled and underscored the importance of heightened vigilance in judicial facilities.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the significant risks posed by even the smallest actions from visitors and highlights the need for court officers to remain alert in preventing the introduction of illegal items into court proceedings.