By: Audrey Raymonda John
32 years old Mohamed Jalloh a security officer made his first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on a count of Unlawful Possession drugs (Kush) contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drug control Act No.10 of 2008
According to the particulars of offence on Saturday 2nd September 2023 along Lumley Beach Road Aberdeen the western area in Freetown was found in possession of 67 wraps of Kush.
Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S Mansaray led first Prosecution witness (PW1) Sergeant 10960 Issa Saidu Koroma attached to the Criminal Investigation Department Aberdeen police station. The witness said he recognized the accused person and recall on the 2nd September 2023 Inspector M.B Koroma and team arrested and brought in the accused person together with 67 wraps of dry leaves to wit Kush one of the arresting officer submitted a police report. PW1 said since then the said report was in the custody of the police and was produced and tendered to form part of the court records.
On the 4th September 2023 he (PW1) together with Sergeant 9071 Bangura J.S obtained cautioned statement from the accused person in Krio language which was recorded in English language. PW1 added that on the above date the substance was sent to the laboratory for it to be analyze and a reply was sent to them from the laboratory with regards the substance they sent; the reply from the Forensic expert was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
PW1further that on the 7th Sept 2023 himself together with Inspector Moses Kamara obtained charge statement from the accused person the charge statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
Defense Counsel W. Gaber Esq cross examined the witness.
He later made and application for bail for and on behalf of his client that the accused is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognizance on his behalf he will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jumped bail he made his application pursuant to section 79 2 of the Criminal procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown matter adjourned to the 19th September 2023 for further hearing.
