By: Audrey Raymonda John
Augustine Joe Dauda has been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre by Justice Isata Sellu Tucker after police tendered a human skull in court, allegedly linked to the production of the synthetic drug known as Kush.
The defendant is standing trial on two counts: unlawful possession of materials intended for the manufacture of drugs, contrary to Section 10(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008), and the reopening of a grave without supervision by a health officer, contrary to Section 46(1) of the Public Health Act 2023 (Act No. 17 of 2023).
According to the particulars of offence, on December 5, 2025, at a police checkpoint in Kent, Western Area, Freetown, the accused was allegedly found in possession of a human skull, described as a material used in the manufacture of the synthetic cannabinoid known as Kush, without lawful authority.
Count two of the charge sheet further alleges that between January 1 and December 5, 2025, at a cassava farm in Bureh Village, Western Area, the accused unlawfully reopened and exhumed a human grave and removed a human skull without the supervision of a health officer.
Prosecution Witness No. 1, DPC 14417 Julius Abu Kamara, testified that he recognized the defendant and confirmed that the recovered object – a human skull was submitted to the Chief Medical Examination Officer for analysis. The skull was tendered in court as Exhibit A and admitted into evidence.
During cross-examination by defence counsel J.M. Jengo Esq., the witness stated that the accused led police to the alleged scene of the crime. When asked about crime scene reconstruction procedures, the witness said such a process was not conducted in this case. He further confirmed that the accused was interviewed in relation to unlawful possession of the human skull.
Prosecution Witness No. 2, Dr. Simeon Owiz Koroma, a medical doctor and forensic pathologist with extensive experience in general medicine and forensic analysis, testified that he was requested by the Sierra Leone Police on February 12, 2026, to examine the skull.
Dr. Koroma told the court that he conducted an examination and prepared a one-page report containing his findings. The report was signed, dated, and tendered in evidence as part of the court records marked Exhibits A1-A3.
He explained that the skull was wrapped in black sheepskin secured with black thread, with decorative materials including cowries and coins. The orbital cavities were occluded with paper materials. He further stated that the skull was identified as that of a female, estimated to be between 35 and 45 years old. According to him, the arrangement and associated materials suggested possible ritualistic handling or post-mortem manipulation.
Dr. Koroma also stated that human skulls are sometimes associated with ritual practices and, in some cases, criminal activities including drug production. However, he did not link any specific institution or group to the findings.
Following the testimony, Justice Tucker refused bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to June 25, 2026, for further hearing.