By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced businessman Kefala Mansaray to 15 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawful possession of prohibited drugs, commonly known as “kush.”
The accused was arraigned on a single count of unlawful possession, contrary toSection 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008.
According to the indictment, the offence occurred on 5 November 2025 in the Kono Judicial District, Eastern Province. The court heard that the defendant was found in possession of thirty (30) wraps of kush.
The prosecution, led by Charles Foday Sesay, informed the court that the convict had no prior criminal record.
In his plea in mitigation, defense counsel Alpha Osman Kamara urged the court to show leniency, arguing that the convict is a first-time offender and a relatively young man with the potential for reform. He pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy by considering a lighter sentence.
In his ruling, Justice Bangura stated that he had carefully considered the plea in mitigation, particularly noting that the convict did not waste the court’s time. However, he expressed concern over the increasing number of drug-related cases before the court, noting that such offences are having a serious negative impact on the youth of Sierra Leone.
He emphasized the need for the judiciary to take a firm stance against drug-related offences to deter others.
Consequently, the court sentenced the convict to 15 years’ imprisonment and ordered that the substances found in his possession be destroyed.