By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
At the High Court sitting in Kenema on June 23, 2026, Edina Sidie Turay, a trader residing at Kondebotehun Layout in Kenema, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years imprisonment by His Lordship, Hon. Justice Abdul Sheriff for possession and use of prohibited drugs.
Edina Sidie Turay was indicted on one count charge of possession and use of prohibited drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008). The charge was read to the accused, now convict, by the Court Registrar, Thomas B. L. Sam.
According to the Registrar, the convict was found on November 19, 2025, in Kenema City, in possession of seventy (70) capsules of tramadol, a prohibited substance in the country. She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
To prove the case, the prosecution called three (3) witnesses. The prosecution stated that on the aforementioned date, police officers conducted a raid at the residence of the accused in search of prohibited substances. Despite initial resistance from the accused side, the officers successfully carried out the search. During the operation, seventy capsules of tramadol and the sum of One Thousand and Fifteen New Leones (Nle 1,015.00) were discovered under her bed.
The accused was subsequently arrested and taken to the police station along with the recovered items for further investigation.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel, Joseph Bandabla Dauda Jnr., Esq., who also serve as legal officer for AdvocAid in the Eastern Region, made a no-case submission on behalf of the accused. However, the court ruled that the accused had a case to answer and ordered her to open her defence.
In his judgment, Justice Abdul Sheriff, having considered the evidence presented and the plea in mitigation urging the court to temper justice with mercy, found the accused guilty and sentenced her to fifteen (15) years imprisonment.
The court further ordered that the exhibit (tramadol) be destroyed in public view, while the sum of Nle 1,015.00 be confiscated to the State.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 29th June 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
