By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Mark Ngegba of the Criminal Division of the High Court in Freetown on Monday, 25 May 2026, sentenced Zainab Bintu Samura to 45 years imprisonment after finding her guilty on six counts relating to the unlawful possession and dealing in prohibited drugs.
The judgment was delivered at the High Court in Freetown following a full trial into offences committed under the National Drugs Control Act 2008.
According to court records, Samura was arrested on 6 November 2025 in the vicinity of the Pademba Road Magistrates’ Court in Freetown after police officers attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) allegedly found her in possession of prohibited substances.
The substances recovered included 210 pink circular blistered tablets identified as tramadol, weighing 100.4 grams, loose cannabis sativa weighing 40 grams, and kush weighing 60 grams.
The State charged Samura with six offences under the National Drugs Control Act of 2008, including unlawful possession and dealing in prohibited drugs. She pleaded not guilty when arraigned before the court on 2 February 2026.
During the trial, prosecutors A. Jalloh and E.A. Deen called three witnesses to testify against the accused, while M.Y. Conteh represented the defence.
Detective Police Constable Abdul Koroma testified that the accused was brought in together with the suspected drugs for investigation. Several exhibits were tendered before the court, including laboratory request forms, caution statements, search warrants, and charge statements.
The court also heard evidence from forensic analysts who confirmed through laboratory examinations that the substances recovered were tramadol, cannabis sativa, and kush.
In his ruling, Justice Ngegba stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the accused failed to show lawful authority for possessing the prohibited substances, as required under Section 17 of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008.
“The defendant was found in possession of and dealing in tramadol, cannabis sativa, and kush,” the judge ruled.
Justice Ngegba subsequently returned guilty verdicts on all six counts. The court sentenced the accused to 15 years imprisonment on Counts 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively, while on Counts 5 and 6 she received 45 years imprisonment each. The sentences are to run concurrently, making the maximum sentence 45 years imprisonment effective.