By Elizabeth Kamara
Mabinty Kawatu Conteh and Mariama Rugiatu James made their first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Pademba Road Court No1 in Freetown on two count charges of unlawful possession of Kush contrary to Section 88(a) of the National Drug Act 2008 Act No.10 of 2008.
It was alleged that on Sunday, 5th May, 2024, at Regent in Freetown, the accused were caught in possession of seventy-seven raps of Kush weighing 4.5grams without lawful authority.
It was alleged that the second accused on the above date and place was found in possession of three hundred wraps of Kush weighing 70.05 gram, without lawful authority.
In a bid to make progress with the prosecution, State Counsel I.A Kamara led in witness No.1 to testify in court.
The witness who identified herself as DPC 19708 Kamara M.M attached at the Lumley Police Division recalled on the 5th May, 2024.
She said she was on duty when the head of operations team, Francis Tommy F. arrested and brought in the accused persons.
She said the matter was assigned to her for investigation and that the accused persons and the exhibit were handed over to her.
She said the first accused was handed to her together with 77 wraps of Kush while the second was handed over to her together with 300 raps of Kush.
She said she later handed them to the exhibit clerk for safe keeping.
She said she later received an enquiry file from ASP Francis Tommy and the said file was tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The witness said herself together with Sergeant 7097 Kamara M.D obtained a voluntary statement from both accused persons separately.
She said Sergeant 7097 questioned them and that after concluding the interview she read and explained to the accused persons separately in Krio and recorded in English.
She said both accused admitted the content to be true and correct and that they appended their right hand thumb print.
The two voluntary statements were produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.
She further testified that on the 6th of May, 2024, she sent a request to the forensic analyst for drug analysis, and that on the 7th May she received the report from the forensic analyst. The said report was produced and tendered.
On the 24 May, she said she sent the file to the director of public prosecution office for legal advice.
On the 4th of June, 2024, the advice came from the DPP office and that the said advice was tendered in court to form part of the court records.
She said on the 6th June, 2024, herself together with 7097 Kamara M.D charged the accused persons to court separately with the offense of unlawful possession based on the advice from the DPP.
The defense counsel, M.Massaquio applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused persons, arguing that they are Sierra Leoneans with reliable sureties who were willing and ready to go into recognisance on their behalf.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura refused bail to both accused persons and remanded them at the Female Correctional Center in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 24th July, 2024.
