By: Audrey Raymonda John
Ibrahim Bangura, a businessman, has been committed to stand trial at the High Court following his appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. He faces four charges under the National Drug Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008) relating to the illegal handling of prohibited drugs.
The charges against the accused are as follows: Collecting a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 7(b), Possession of a Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 8(a), Dealing in a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 7(c), Selling a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 7(c).
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Wednesday, January 3, 2025, at Kissy Dockyard in the Western Area of Freetown, Ibrahim Bangura allegedly collected a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count Two revealed that on the same date and location, the accused was found in possession of one hundred and six (106) wraps of kush, a banned substance, without lawful authority.
Count Three stated that he was engaged in dealing in the drug, while Count Four alleged that he was also selling the drug, both without lawful authority.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Isatu Baba Musa, closed its case after presenting two prosecution witnesses.
In his ruling, Magistrate Fornah stated: “Having reviewed the entire evidence presented by the prosecution, I am satisfied that sufficient evidence has been adduced against the accused to warrant a trial.”
He therefore committed the accused to stand trial in the High Court of Sierra Leone.