By: Audrey Raymonda John
Forty-nine-year-old businesswoman Yama Kaprr Kamara and thirty-eight-year-old farmer Abu Conte made their first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown. They face one count of 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 particulars of the offence, on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Makondu Village in the Lower Yoni Chiefdom, Tonkolili District (Northern Province), the accused were found in possession of sixteen compressed bales of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken.
Prosecution witness Detective Police Constable (DPC) 15063 Musa Maju, attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), testified in court. He identified both accused persons and recalled that on April 29, 2025, Crime Officer Inspector Stephen Alpha Turay handed them over to him along with the suspected cannabis, an inquiry file, and related documents.
The inquiry file included: the arresting officer’s report (dated April 27, 2025), A search warrant, and Voluntary caution statements obtained from both accused.
These documents were produced and tendered in court as evidence.
DPC Maju further testified that, together with DPC 15045 Amara M., he obtained additional voluntary caution statements from the accused on April 29, 2025. The statements were taken in Krio and translated into English, then read back to the accused, who confirmed their accuracy by affixing their right-hand thumbprints. These statements were also produced and tendered in court.
He added that on the same day, the sixteen cannabis bales were handed over to the exhibit clerk for safe custody.
On April 30, 2025, Inspector Turay submitted a formal request to the forensic analyst to verify whether the seized substance was indeed a controlled drug. The forensic request was produced and tendered in court. On May 7, 2025, the forensic report confirming the nature of the substance was received and presented as evidence.
On May 29, 2025, legal advice was received from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which led to the formal charging of the accused. The charge statement, signed by Inspector Turay and recorded by DPC Maju, was also produced and tendered in court.
Defense counsel C. Kamara applied for bail on behalf of both accused persons. However, Magistrate Samura denied the application, citing the seriousness of the offence.
The accused were remanded at the male and female correctional facilities in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to June 20, 2025.