By Jeneba A Conteh
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, Osman Sesay, a driver, was committed to the High Court of Freetown for further trial by Principal Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1.
This decision came after Sesay was found in possession of 50.4 grams of kush in his vehicle at Wellington.
Sesay faced three charges upon his arraignment before the court including unlawful possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, transportation of prohibited drugs, and offering prohibited drugs for sale without lawful authority.
These charges are all in violation of section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act No.10 of 2008.
According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the former Natco factory in Wellington, Freetown, where Sesay was found in possession of the aforementioned quantity of kush without lawful authority.
Additionally, he was charged with transporting prohibited drugs and attempting to sell them without proper authorization.
Before the committal, Magistrate Kekura noted that the Prosecution presented three witnesses: a forensic analyst, an exhibit clerk, and a former witness who served as the arresting officer.
Each witness was cross-examined by defense counsel A. Koroma. In his defense, Sesay relied on a statement he made to the police, explaining that he had unknowingly transported passengers who left the kush in his vehicle.
Sesay claimed he discovered the drugs after taking his vehicle to a car wash and attempted to sell them before being apprehended by police officers.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Kekura determined that the Prosecution had sufficiently proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, warranting Sesay’s trial at the High Court.
Sesay expressed his intention to present evidence and call witnesses during the trial, whose names he would later submit to the court.
Sesay was subsequently committed to the High Court for further trial without bail.
