By Fatima Kpaka
A security guard Mohamed Jalloh, 32, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, appeared before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 on one count of unlawful possession of 67 wraps of ‘Kush’ (K2) contrary to section 8 (a) of The National Drug Control Act No.10 of 2008.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused on Saturday, September 2, 2023, along Lumley Beach Road, Aberdeen in Freetown was found in possession of 67 wraps of kush.
When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution witness Sergeant 10960 Issa Saidu Koroma led in evidence by ASP Ibrahim Mansaray, said he recognized the accused person and recalled September 2, 2023 when Inspector M.B Koroma and team arrested and brought in the accused together with 67 wraps of dry leaves believed to be Kush together with a police report, adding that since then the said report has been in the custody of the police.
The said report was produced and tendered to form part of the court record.
September 4, 2023, the witness said himself together with Sergeant 9071 Bangura J.S obtained statement from the accused, and that on the above date the substance was sent to the laboratory for it to be analyzed, and a reply was sent to them from the laboratory in respect of the substance they sent.
The said reply from the forensic expert was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court record.
On September 7, 2023 himself together with Inspector Moses Kamara obtained charge statement from the accused and charged him with the offence of unlawful possession of Kush.
The charge statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court record.
The witness was cross-examined by defense lawyer W. Gaber Esq. He also applied for bail for the accused pursuant to section 79 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Act No32 of 1965.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Ngegba refused to admit the accused bail on bail. The matter was adjourned to September 19, 2023 for further hearing.