By Ibrahim Sesay

Four defendants accused of possession and use of illegal drugs have been committed to stand trial at the High Court of Sierra Leone following a ruling by Magistrate Hadiru Daboh at the Kenema Magistrate Court.

The committal, which took place on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, is in line with the enforcement of the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008 and recent Practice Directions issued by the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Kumba Kamanda, aimed at ensuring the speedy trial of drug and drug-related offences across the country.

According to the prosecution, the four accused persons were arraigned for offences contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, which criminalises the possession and use of controlled substances. The suspects were arrested on different dates in Kenema City and surrounding communities with substances suspected to be kush and cannabis sativa.

One of the defendants, Musa Sannoh, a resident of 3 Kpasamoi Street in Kenema City, was allegedly found in possession of 26 wraps of kush on December 2, 2025. Another accused, Cherinoh Sannoh, a Sierra Leonean civil servant from Pandebu Town in Kenema District, was arrested on November 30, 2025, with quantities of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa.

The third defendant, Moinina Musa, who resides at 10 Pujeboi Street in Kenema City, was apprehended on November 3, 2025, in possession of dried leaves believed to be kush. Meanwhile, Tamba Nyuma, a resident of 13 Kpasamoi Street in Kenema City, was arrested on December 1, 2025, with 26 wraps of kush, according to police testimony.

During the proceedings, no pleas were taken from the accused persons. Magistrate Daboh declined to grant bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the need to comply with the Chief Justice’s directive on expediting drug-related cases. The four defendants were subsequently remanded at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema pending their appearance before the High Court.

In delivering his ruling, Magistrate Hadiru Daboh stated that he had carefully examined the evidence presented by the prosecution and was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established against all four defendants. He noted that the prosecution had fully discharged its responsibility at the committal stage, leaving the court with no alternative but to commit the matters to the High Court for trial.

The cases were prosecuted by Police Sergeant David Idriss of the Legal and Justice Support Department, attached to the Kenema Police Division.

The committal forms part of broader national efforts by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to address the growing challenge of drug abuse and trafficking, particularly the increasing prevalence of kush and other narcotic substances. Authorities have repeatedly warned that drug-related crimes pose serious risks to public health, security, and social stability, especially among young people.

Legal observers say the swift handling of the cases demonstrates the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the law and supporting government efforts to combat drug abuse through decisive legal action. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/magistrate-hadiru-daboh-commits-four-drug-suspects-to-high-court-in-kenema/