By: Audrey Raymonda John
Monica Kumba Kaiwandi, a housewife, has made her first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown. She faces a single count charge of Possession of a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Section 8(c) of the National Drug Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken, as the matter remains at the preliminary investigation stage.
The state prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Isatu Baba Musa, led the third prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 13682 Umaro J., who is attached to the Exhibit Office at the Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) in Hastings, Freetown. DPC Umaro explained that his duties include receiving, registering, and storing all exhibits brought to the station, and tendering them in court when necessary.
He recalled that on 4th August 2025, while on duty, he received 165 pink-coloured tablets suspected to be Tramadol, from DPC 15045 Amara M., attached to the Anti-Drug Syndicate of the TCU. He registered the items in the Crime Exhibit Book under serial number 88/2025. Subsequently, Detective Assistant Superintendent of Police Jacob Stevens, a forensic analyst, took 10 tablets for examination and analysis.
DPC Umaro testified that the remaining 155 tablets have since been kept in police custody and were now produced and tendered in court as Exhibit F1-155.
Defence Counsel J.A. Conteh Esq. applied for bail on behalf of the accused, noting that she is a resident of Freetown with reliable sureties willing to stand in her recognizance. He cited Section 23(4) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, assuring the court that the accused would not interfere with prosecution witnesses if granted bail.
The matter was adjourned to 25th September 2025 for continuation of the trial.