Thirty-one years old Maada Albert Jonathan Browne, a businessman and Hassan Hallowell a petty trader have appeared before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Pademba Road Court No.1 for unlawful possession of kush.
Magistrate Ngegba denied them bail and sent them on remand at the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown. The accused appeared before the court on two counts charges of possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008 Act No.10 of 2008 and possession of substance intended to be used for the manufacturing of drugs without lawful authority contrary to section 10 (a) of the National Drugs control Act 2008, Act No.10 of 2008.
According to the police records, on Wednesday 18 October 2023 at Wusum Hotel Bombali Shebora Chiefdom, in Bombali district Makeni, in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone the accused were found in possession of prohibited drugs to wit, quantity of kush contained in black polythene bags weighing 1.2 kilograms without lawful authority.
The charge sheet furthered that on the same date and place, the accused were found in possession of a chemical to wit, Acetone contained in twelve (12) transparent plastic containers with inscriptions, GULF Spring water weighing 12000 millilitres, without lawful authority.
The charges were read and explained to the accused, but they pleaded not guilty
Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray lead Prosecution Witness, Franklin Browne, who was led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim S. Manasary said he recognised the first accused as his son and second accused in respect of the matter.
Brown said recalled 18 October 2023. On the said date, he said he had communicated with the first accused, who happens to be his son in relation to two plots of land in Makeni.
He furthered on 1 September, 2023, the first accused went to the land in question, disclosing that he took him round the said land.
After few seconds, he said he received a call from the first accused informing him that he, the first accused and one Abass were arrested in the said land. Prosecution witness (PW)2, Osman Turay a car dealer, recognised the first accused as his business partner and recalled the day in question.
The second prosecution’s witness, Osman Turay was also led in evidence by ASP Ibrahim Shiek Mansaray. Both witnesses were cross examined by Defense Counsel H.M. Gevao
Magistrate Ngegba denied the accused bail due to the seriousness of the offences and were at the said correctional centre in Freetown. The matter will come up again 15 December 2023 for the matter to be committed at the High Court for trial.
