By Janet A. Sesay
Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced businessman, Kefala Mansaray to fifteen years imprisonment after finding him guilty of possessing prohibited drugs, locally known as Kush.
The accused was arraigned before the court on one count charge of unlawful possession, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008.
According to the indictment, on 5th November, 2025 at the Kono Judicial District in the Eastern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the accused was found in possession of thirty wraps of Kush.
During proceedings, State Prosecutor Charles Foday Sesay Esq. informed the court that the convict had no previous criminal record.
Defence Counsel, Alpha Osman Kamara Esq., in his plea in mitigation, submitted that the convict is a first-time offender and a young man with the potential to reform. He pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and consider imposing a minimum sentence.
In his ruling, Justice Bangura stated that he had considered the plea in mitigation, particularly the fact that the convict did not waste the court’s time and has no prior convictions. However, he expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of drug-related offences, noting that such crimes continue to flood the courts and negatively impact the youth population of Sierra Leone.
He emphasized the need for the judiciary to take firm stance against such offences.
Consequently, Justice Bangura sentenced the convict to fifteen years imprisonment and ordered that the drugs found in his possession be destroyed.