By: Audrey Raymonda John
Abdul Kamara, alias Bigitel, Ishmail Koroma, a teacher, and Sallieu Bangura are currently standing trial before Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens at the NASSIT Court in Freetown. They face charges of being found in possession of 15.8 grams of Kush (cannabis sativa) without lawful authority.
During yesterday’s proceedings, when the matter was called, none of the accused persons appeared in court, nor did their sureties. The accused were granted bail by the learned judge on humanitarian grounds, following a request by defense counsel, Claudius Campbell.
Justice Stevens noted that he had received information that the first accused, Bigitel, intended to leave the country, which was why he and his sureties failed to appear in court. As a result of their absence, the learned judge issued bench warrants for all the accused and their sureties.
Additionally, Justice Stevens ordered that the property of Bigitel, located at No. 3D Kamanda Farm, Mamba Ridge, Kissy, Freetown, be confiscated by the state. He further directed that the tenants be evicted immediately until Bigitel appears before the court.
The judge also instructed the bailiffs at the Undersheriff’s Office to ensure the effective enforcement of the order.
The case was adjourned to 21st March 2025.
The accused were arraigned before the court on seven counts, including possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority. According to the indictment, on Saturday, 23rd September 2023, in Mamba Ridge, Kissy, Freetown, the accused were found in possession of 181 wraps of Kush weighing 20.0 grams and 278 wraps of Kush weighing 152.6 grams, all without lawful authority. The indictment also states that they were found in possession of 36 sachets of Kush weighing 20.5 grams, 76 wraps of cannabis sativa weighing 25.6 grams, and loose cannabis sativa weighing 15.8 grams. Additionally, they were allegedly found in possession of one sachet of Ecstasy weighing 20.2 grams and eight sachets of Kush weighing 17.6 grams, all without lawful authority.
The accused were granted bail with one surety each. Each surety is required to sign a bail bond of 50,000 Leones as a guarantee, not as payment. Furthermore, each surety must present an authentic national identification card issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).
