By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced Alusine Kemoh to 15 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawful possession of drugs (kush).
The defendant faced a one-count charge under Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008.
According to the indictment, on 11 November 2025 in the Kono Judicial District, Eastern Province, Alusine Kemoh was found in possession of 47 wraps of kush without lawful authority.
The case commenced before the High Court after the defendant was committed for trial following completion of preliminary investigations.
In delivering his ruling, Justice Bangura stated that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt, and the defendant was therefore found guilty as charged.
State Prosecutor Charles Foday Sesay informed the court that the defendant had no prior criminal convictions.
During his allocutus, the defendant pleaded with the judge for mercy. Defense counsel Alpha Osman Kamara also argued for leniency, noting that the defendant is a first-time offender and a young man with the potential for reform, urging the court to consider a minimum sentence.
Justice Bangura, however, emphasized the severity of the offence, stating that the defendant’s actions, along with others involved, have negatively impacted the youth population of Sierra Leone, necessitating a tough response from the court.
He subsequently sentenced the defendant to fifteen (15) years imprisonment and ordered that the drugs found in his possession be destroyed.