By: Audrey Raymonda John
A tense and dramatic incident unfolded at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 in Freetown when Zainab B. Samura, the wife of accused Joseph Kabia, alias “Manager,” was caught attempting to smuggle assorted drugs to her husband during his trial. Kabia is facing seventeen charges, including forgery, possession of arms without a license, forgery of banknotes, unlawful concealment of ammunition, and other offenses.
The incident occurred while Kabia was seated in the courtroom, awaiting the next stage of his trial. His wife, Zainab, arrived carrying a black handbag, which she seemed to be innocuously placed near him. Inside the handbag was a white plastic bag, which she later tried to slip under her husband’s seat unnoticed.
However, prison officers on duty, Madina Sesay and Isha Bundu, quickly noticed her suspicious behavior and intervened. Upon retrieving the bag from under Kabia’s seat, the officers discovered it contained assorted prohibited drugs. The discovery caused an immediate stir in the courtroom, as onlookers realized the gravity of the breach.
Seeing the officers retrieve the bag, Kabia reportedly attempted to snatch it from them, almost leading to a physical confrontation. However, the officers quickly restrained him, preventing any escalation. Other visitors, including Mariama B. Sesay, watched in shock as the scene unfolded.
Zainab was immediately arrested and taken into police custody for further investigation. Police sources confirmed that she will face charges under the National Drug Control Act of 2008 for possession and attempted smuggling of prohibited substances without lawful authority.
Court officials described the incident as a serious security breach, stressing the risks posed when visitors attempt to pass contraband drugs to accused persons in custody. A senior officer emphasized that “court security must be vigilant at all times, as attempts like this endanger both the judicial process and the safety of court staff and visitors.”
Joseph Kabia remains in remand custody as he awaits his trial in the High Court. Meanwhile, investigations into his wife’s arrest are ongoing. Authorities have indicated that tighter security measures may be implemented to prevent future attempts to smuggle prohibited items into courtrooms.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as tense and chaotic, noting that the audacity of trying to hide drugs under an accused person’s seat highlighted serious gaps in security. The dramatic scene left many in the courtroom shaken and reinforced the importance of vigilance in judicial facilities.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even small actions by visitors can pose significant risks, and that court officers must remain alert to prevent contraband from entering court proceedings.