High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Mark Ngegba (J.), today sentenced Jelika Conteh to thirty (30) years’ imprisonment following her conviction for transporting and possessing a prohibited drug without lawful authority.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to charges brought under Section 7(b) and Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.

According to the prosecution, on 13th May 2025 in Kambia District, Jelika Conteh was found transporting and in possession of 80.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.

To prove the case, the prosecution called two witnesses, including DPC 15063 Musa Manju, attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) at Hastings.

In his testimony on 14th May 2025, DPC Manju stated that a file, along with eighty-nine parcels of dried leaf substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, was handed over to him from the Kambia Police Division. He further explained that chemical analyses and microscopic examinations confirmed the substance was indeed a prohibited drug.

Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Mark Ngegba held that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, finding the defendant guilty on both counts.

Jelika Conteh was sentenced to, 30 years on Count One transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority 7 years on Count Two unlawful possession of drug, the judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently, the matter was prosecuted by State Counsel Ahmed J. M. Bockerie, while the defendant was represented by Prince Ade Williams and M. Y. Conteh.

Credit – Judiciary Comms.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 24th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)