By: Audrey Raymonda John
Kadiatu Kondeh, a petty trader, and Mariama Stella Koroma, also a petty trader, made their first appearance before Magistrate Adama Kandeh at Pademba Road Court No. 4 on four counts of drug-related charges.
The two defendants were arraigned for 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. They were also charged with Transporting, Dealing, and Selling a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority, contrary to Sections 7(b), (c), and (d) of the same Act.
Kadiatu Kondeh: On Wednesday, 15th October 2025, at Kolley Compound, Aberdeen, Freetown, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, Kondeh was found in possession of 239 wraps of Cannabis sativa and one small black polythene bag containing loose cannabis without lawful authority.
Count Two: Transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority on the same date and location. Count Three: Dealing in prohibited drugs without lawful authority at the same date and location.
Count Fou: Selling a prohibited drug without lawful authority on the same date and location.
Mariama Stella Koroma: On the same date, at the same location, Koroma was found in possession of 509 wraps of Kush (a stronger strain of cannabis) without lawful authority. Count Two: Transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority. Count Three: Dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority. Count Four: Selling a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea was taken.
The prosecutor, Chief Superintendent of Police T.B. Zizer Esq., requested a short adjournment to tender the defendants’ statements. The defendants, who were not legally represented at the time, were served with the necessary documents detailing the prosecution’s statements.
Magistrate Kandeh refused to grant bail, citing the seriousness of the charges. Both defendants were remanded to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 19th November 2025 for further proceedings.