By: Audrey Raymonda John
The ongoing drug case involving Charles Udom, a Nigerian national, was again brought before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Friday, 8th August 2025, on four counts of alleged drug-related offences.
The accused faced the following charges Collecting a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 7(b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008. Transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 7(b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008. Dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 7(c) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008. Possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the police charge sheet, on Sunday, 23rd March 2025, at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the Port Loko District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone, the accused allegedly collected a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count two stated that on the same date and location, the accused transported a prohibited drug without lawful authority. Count three further alleged that on the same date and location, the accused dealt in a prohibited drug without lawful authority. Count four stated that the accused was found in possession of 25 pellets of cocaine without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, the prosecutor, led prosecution witness number two, Joseph Stevens, a forensic analyst responsible for analyzing drugs and other chemical substances submitted for analysis and expert opinion.
Stevens testified that on Monday, 24th March 2025, while on duty, Detective Inspector Turay, attached to the Technical Operation and Communication Unit, submitted a laboratory request form to him. The form indicated the need to analyze 25 pellets of white powder suspected to be cocaine, weighing 325.0 grains, which had allegedly been seized from the accused.
Stevens stated that he conducted a presumptive analysis in the presence of the accused, and later collected samples for further laboratory examination. He explained that he conducted a chemical analysis and microscopic crystal examination, which confirmed that the sample was cocaine hydrochloride. Stevens further noted that he reduced the results of the analysis into a report, which has since been in police custody, signed and dated on 26th March 2025. The report was produced and tendered as Exhibit E, with the result submitted as Exhibit F.
Defence Counsel A.H. Navo applied to adopt the previous bail conditions on behalf of the accused.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail due to the nature of the offences and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to 18th August 2025 for the continuation of the trial.