A businessman, Momoh Koroma, 38, who was residing at No.115 Bai Bureh Road in Freetown, has appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Ross Road Court No.1 for unlawfully found in possession of thirty-four (34) wraps of ‘kush’ weighing 12.0 kilograms without lawful authority.
The accused was arrested on 28 May 2023 at the aforesaid address in Freetown, by detective Police Constable (DPC) 11443 Mattia J.
Momoh Koroma appeared before the court on two counts charges of unlawful possession contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Act of 2008.
It was alleged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that the accused, on Monday 1 May 2023 at No.115 Bai Bureh Road in Freetown, was found in possession of 34 wraps of ‘kush’ weighing 12.0 grams without lawful authority.
Led in evidence by Superintendent Police (ASP) Osman M .Bangura formal witness Sub- Inspector Mohamed Zaphenath Kabba attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the Ross Road Police Station – Harbour Division in Freetown, said and recognized the accused and could recall 1 May 2023.
The witness furthered on the day in question, he was at the aforesaid unit when he received information about the accused, adding that upon receipt of the information, a team of police officers led by him boarded SLP 340 left for No.115 Bai Bureh Road in Freetown.
Mr Kabba said upon their arrival, they conducted a search at the accused’s premises and during the search, he discovered thirty-four wraps of dried leaves suspected to be kush, six packets of cigarettes, twelve (20) gas lights and a cash of Eleven Thousand New Leones (NLe11,000), which were conveyed to the Ross Police Road Station – Harbour Division in Freetown.
The witness said the search warrant was endorsed in the presence of the accused which was produced and tendered to form part of the court’s records. Subsequently Inspector Kabba said he handed over the accused and the exhibits to the Investigating Officer whose name was not mentioned.
The witness concluded his evidence that he reduced his findings into report which was produced and tendered marked A1-2.
Before cross examined, by defence counsel, K. R. Swanneh applied the report written by investigation officer to make available to him, application which was granted.
Lawyer Swanneh asked the witness when was the accused arrested. Responding, Kabba said he arrested the accused on 4 May 2023.
Lawyer Swanneh asked again when was the accused charged to court, responding, he said he can’t tell.
Lawyer Swanneh asked the witness if he personally arrested the accused, to which he answered in the negative.
He confronted the witness that it was the alleged crime scene he manufactured warrant, to which he responded in the negative.
The lawyer put it the witness that the warrant was signed at the police station to which he responded in the affirmative.
He asked the witness if it was okayed for the accused after executing the search warrant to signed at the police station, to which he answered in the affirmative.
The lawyer applied for bail on behalf of the accused by relying on Section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Responding, Magistrate Kekura granted Two Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe200,000) with a sureties in like sum, the surety should furnish court with a NASSIT card
Bail should be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 9th June 2023.
