By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Mark Ngegba of the High Court in Freetown sentenced Mariama Thomas and Fatmata Kamara to five years in prison each on Monday, November 17, 2025, for the unlawful possession of 50 grams of Kush (a form of cannabis).
The two women were arraigned before the court on charges of unlawful possession of drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the indictment, the convicts were arrested on March 22, 2025, in Freetown, in possession of 50 grams of Kush without lawful authority.
Upon hearing the charges, both women pleaded guilty to their respective offenses.
State Prosecutor Aruna Jalloh presented the facts of the case, explaining that the women were arrested with the illegal drugs, investigated, and subsequently charged. A preliminary investigation was conducted, and the matter was committed to the High Court in accordance with Section 116 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
During their allocutus (final statements), Mariama Thomas expressed regret for her actions, stating she acted out of goodwill, and pleaded for the judge to temper justice with mercy. Similarly, Fatmata Kamara asked for mercy, explaining that she was driven to commit the crime by poverty and her responsibility for five children.
In mitigation, Defense Counsel M.Y. Conteh argued that the defendants had not wasted the court’s time by pleading guilty. He emphasized that justice should not only involve punishment but also rehabilitation. He noted that the women had been kept in custody since their arrest and requested a minimal sentence.
In response, State Counsel Jalloh highlighted the seriousness of the offense, stressing that such drug offenses have a detrimental impact on the youth in society. He requested a maximum sentence of 10 years for each defendant, suggesting it would serve as a warning to others.
Justice Ngegba, while acknowledging that the women had not delayed proceedings, affirmed his duty to uphold the law. He sentenced both women to five years in prison, with the sentences to run concurrently.