By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
Seventy-Two (72) bundles and Two Hundred and Twenty-Nine parcels of Cannabisativa has on Monday, March 18, 2024, set on fire by the Judiciary in Kenema.
The event took place at the Law Courts in Kenema witnessed by the Court Administrations, Sierra Leone Police (SLP), the Media, Chiefs and other stakeholders.
According to the State Counsel, Mathew P. Lappia, the burning of Narcotics is to demonstrate the Court’s readiness to combating the Drugs in the Country adding that any substance such as Kush or Jamba are burnt down when brought to Court with no compromise.
The Regional Crime Officer-East, Detective Deputy Superintendent of Police, Francis Lawrence Dauda said that the fight against Narcotics should not be one Man fight but a concerned to all Sierra Leoneans. He also said, they are ready to combat Drugs in this Division. The Regional Crime Officer called on the public to give information to the Police at all times adding that the Police are not magicians.
Speaking to our Correspondent in Kenema, Magistrate Sheka Kamara of Magistrate Court No.1 in Kenema said, the substance set ablazed were in possession of one Fomba Salia Kanneh a driver residing in Kenema. The Police at Wanjama checkpoint in the Small-Bo Chiefdom, Kenema Judicial District, apprehended and charged to Court Fomba Salia Kanneh for being in possession of 72 bundles and 229 parcels of Cannabisativa. The Accused was fined Ten Thousand New Leones (NLe 10,000.00) or go to Jail for Ten Years (10 yrs) imprisonment.
According to Magistrates Kamara, the public should report to the Police about the sales and smoking of Narcotics and that the Police and the Court should be vigilant in combating the Drugs in our Communities.” Drugs such as Kush and Cannabisativa should not be available in our Societies or else the future of our Youths would be hopeless”, he revealed.
Police Inspector Alphan Samuel Musa who Prosecuted the matter in Court on the above date said, the Accused was charged to Court for the possession of Narcotics Contrary to Sec. 48(1) of the Pharmacy and Drugs Act No.12 of 2001. According to Inspector Musa, the Accused was arrested at Wanjama Police Checkpoint with the above quantum of Cannabisativa and that he pleaded guilty and begged for mercy. “The Court fined him NLe 10,000.00 or go to Jail for 10 years Imprisonment,” he concluded.
In another development, a petition case between Alfred Robert Mendegla, plaintiff and Paramount chief elect, Mohamed Sandi Koroma Gbatekaka of Juru-Gaura Chiefdom in Kenema District which led to Contempt of Court at the High Court in Kenema has on Thursday, March 14, 2024, dismissed from Court in Kenema.
After series of arguments from both Counsels, Counsels of the Petitioner and Counsels of the Contempt nor the High Judge, Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara in his wisdom did not make any alternate decision but to dismissed the matter. According to Justice Banks-Kamara, the Counsels of the plaintiff, Alfred Robert Mendegla could not prove the Contempt of Court case beyond all reasonable doubts due to irregularities.
As for the Petition Case, it is still pending for adjudication. The Judge ordered the Petitioner to deposit a Sum of Five Billion New Leones (NLe 5,000,000,000.00) to any reputable Bank in consultations with Counsels on both sides and the Bank Slip to be taken to the Registrar of the High Court in Kenema. The said amount to be deposited at the Bank on or before the 21st March, 2024. The matter was adjourned to March 21, 2024 for further hearing.
Joseph Konowa Lansana popularly known as J.K. Lansana was the leading Counsel of the Petitioner whilst Edward Sarkoh aka E- Sarkoh led in Defence of the Contempt.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)