By: Audrey Raymonda John
31 years old Abu Bakar Kamara who was residing at Swaray Drive Allen Town in Freetown appeared on May 2023 appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 for unlawful possession of four hundred fifty-right (457) wraps of substances suspected to be Kush.
Abubakar Kamara was arrested on 23 May 2023 by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 14958 Kamara E on a count of unlawful possession contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Act of 2008.
It was alleged that the accused on Wednesday 3 May 2023 at Swaray Drive Allen Town in Freetown, was unlawfully found in possession of four hundred and fifty-seven wraps of substances suspected to be Kush.
Prosecution witness Sub-Inspector Sulaiman Kamara attached to the Operations Unit at the Kissy Police Divisional headquarters in Freetown told the court that he recognized the accused and could recall Wednesday 3 May 2023.
He furthered that on the said date, he was at the said division when he got information that some unknown people were at the Allen Town Cemetery.
He said upon receipt of the information, he and Superintendent J.S Koroma boarded SLP 098 and left for the crime scene at Allen Town Cemetery, adding that upon their arrival, they saw a group of men run away and that during the accused process, the accused alia Ice was with four hundred and fifty-seven wraps of dry leaves suspect be kush and two packets’ cigarettes and cash of nine hundred fifty-five leones (NLe950).
Subsequently, the witness said the accused and the exhibits were taken to Kissy Police station and also reduced his findings into a report. The report was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records.
He concluded that he handed over the accused to the investigating Officer.
During cross-examination by defence counsel A. B. Kamara asked the witness when he arrested the accused, responding, he said he arrested the accused on 3 May 2023.
Lawyer Kamara further asked if he arrested the accused at a ghetto or a house.
In response, the witness said he apprehended the accused at the back of Allen Town’s Cemetery.
He asked if he arrested the accused in possession of the alleged substances which he answered in to which he answered the affirmative.
Lawyer Kamara confronted the witness if he wanted the court to believe that the accused was running away when he was allegedly arrested in possession of the substances he answered yes, adding that when the accused attempted to run away it was at that height he was arrested.
Lawyer Kamara asked the witness if he can tell where the accused was arrested to, which he answered in the negative.
He confronted the prosecution witness that he was not part of the team that arrested the accused to which he answered in the affirmative.
He put it to him that the accused was arrested at his residence, not at the back of Allen Town’s Cemetery as it was alleged.
In response, he said the accused was arrested at the above-mentioned address in Freetown.
Lawyer Kamara applied for bail for and on bail of his client by relying on section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1975.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura granted two hundred thousand leones (NLe200,000) bail with a surety who should reside in Freetown. Bail should be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar.
The matter was adjourned to 7tg June 2023 for further hearing.