Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Pademba Road Court No.1 has Wednesday 5th April 2023 remanded Denis Koroma to the Male Correctional facility for alleged importation of firearm and prohibited drug to the country.
The accused Denis Koroma is standing trial for four count offence of possession of firearms, transfer of firearms without license, importation of prohibited drugs, and unlawful possession of cannabis sativa contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence, on Monday 13th March, 2023 at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay Cline Town in the East of Freetown, the accused was found in possession of one black and silver colour Taurus Brinbridge pistol with serial number ACK 409049 G3c 19 times19 and 11 rounds of ammunition without license.
Count two state that on Tuesday 6th December, 2022 and Monday 13th March, 2023 at the same place, the accused transferred from Philadelphia United States of America to Freetown, Sierra Leone a firearm to with the aforesaid pistol and ammunition without license, while
Count three and four indicated that on the same day and place, the accused was found in possession and imported prohibited drug to wit cannabis sativa weighing at 50.0 grams.
In his testimony, first prosecution witness, Police Constable 17015 Ibrahim Barrie recalled on the aforesaid date when he, Inspector Gibrilla Kamara and one of his colleague witness the process of examination on an alleged container at the Quay.
He said one of the Custom officers opened the said container and during the process of their searches, they discovered one of the barrel and saw therein a pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition and further discovered a box containing a plastic with two roll of charcoal, a dry leaves suspected to be ‘kush’.
The witness furthered that on the following day, an intelligent officer was sent to the premises of the accused and he was invited to the Ross Police Station where he identified and agreed that the said items belong to him.
According to the witness, the accused responded under interrogations that he imported prohibited drug because he used to smoke it at the United States, the pistol was for his protection, while the charcoal will be used his smoking of shisha.
Cross examining by defence counsel Hindolo M. Gevao Esq, the witness told the hearing that he is aware of laws of firearms. He confirmed that the barrel has not been cleared from the customs before it came under the possession of the kush.
After cross examination, the learned lawyer requested bail for his client, but Magistrate Ngegba refused bail citing the seriousness of the offence. The matter comes up again on Tuesday 11th April 2023.
