Twelve (12) defendants have been committed to stand trial at the High Court in Kenema for offences relating to the possession and use of prohibited drugs, following a ruling by the Kenema Magistrate Court.

The decision was delivered on Saturday, January 31, 2026, by Hadiru Daboh, in compliance with the National Drugs Control Act No. 10 of 2008 and the Practice Direction issued by Chief Justice, Komba Kamanda, which mandates the speedy trial of drug-related cases nationwide.

All twelve accused persons were arraigned on charges of prohibition of possession and use of drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the Act. After examining the evidence presented by the prosecution, the court ordered that the defendants be committed within twenty-eight (28) days to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial.

According to court records, the defendants were arrested on different dates between November 2025 and January 2026 at various locations across Kenema City and surrounding areas, including Dama Road, Fishery Market, Kaisamba Terrace, Gombu Section, IDA Axis, Ahmadiyya Junction and police checkpoints within the district.

Among those charged, Amara Ansu, of 58 Dama Road, Kenema, was allegedly found in possession of 17 wraps of kush on December 22, 2025. Ibrahim Aruna Sannoh, of Gombu Layout, was reportedly arrested with 17 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be kush at the Fishery Market on December 9, 2025.

Osman Koroma, a resident of Tiama Village, was apprehended with a quantity of Cannabis sativa at the Wanjama Police Checkpoint in the Small-Bo Chiefdom on December 18, 2025. Sayoh Musa, of Akash Drive, was allegedly found with 24 wraps of kush at Kaisamba Terrace on November 10, 2025.

Court documents further indicate that Lansana Conteh, of W-Line, Nyandeyama Section, was arrested with 45 wraps of kush at the Fishery Market on January 13, 2026, while Sarah Kamara, of Fabba Street, Kenema, was found with 22 wraps of kush at Ahmadiyya Junction on November 3, 2025. Other accused persons were charged with possession of quantities ranging from seven (7) to twenty-two (22) wraps of kush, as well as suspected cannabis substances.

No plea was taken at the magistrate level and no bail was granted to any of the accused persons. The twelve defendants have all been remanded at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre (SLCC) in Kenema pending their appearance before the High Court.

One of the accused, Wilson Koroma, was represented by defence counsel Joseph Bandabla Dauda Jnr. Esq. (JBD) and Patrick Kamara of the Legal Aid Board, Kenema.

In his ruling, Magistrate Daboh stated that after carefully reviewing the evidence, the court was satisfied that the prosecution had fully discharged its burden, leaving no option but to commit the matters to the High Court for trial.

The cases were prosecuted by Police Sergeant 10734 David Idriss, attached to the Legal and Justice Support Department at the Kenema Police Station.

The development underscores ongoing national efforts to combat the illegal production, distribution and use of drugs, particularly kush, which authorities say continues to pose a serious threat to public safety and public health. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/12-suspects-committed-to-high-court-in-kenema-over-drug-possession-charges/