Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Main Law Courts Building, Siaka Stevens Street Freetown, 20th November, 2025: High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Mark Ngegba (J) earlier today sentenced Jelika Conteh to thirty (30) years imprisonment after being convicted of the offence of transporting and being in possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
The convict upon his arraignment pleaded not guilty to the offences charged which the state say are contrary to Section 7 (b) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008 and Section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008, Act No 10 of 2008.
The Prosecution had alleged that on the 13th of May, 2025 at Kambia District, Jelika was found transporting and in possession of 80.9 Kilograms of cannabis sativa without lawful authority.
Proving their case against the Defendant, the Prosecution led in evidence two witnesses including DPC 15063 Musa Manju attached at the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) at Hastings.
In his testimony on the 14th May, 2025, DPC Manju said a file was handed over to him from the Kambia Police Division together with eighty-nine parcels of dried leaves substance suspected to be cannabis sativa.
He maintained that during investigation, they gathered enough evidence including chemical analysis and microscopic crystal examination which proved that what was found in her possession was a prohibited drug.
Delivering his judgment, Hon. Justice Mark Ngegba revealed that the prosecution proved their case beyond reasonable doubt for which he found the Defendant guilty on both counts as charged.
Jelika was sentenced to thirty (30) years on count one (transporting a prohibited drug without lawful authority) and seven (7) years on count two (unlawful possession of drugs).
Justice Mark Ngegba ordered that the convict should run sentences concurrently.
The matter was prosecuted by State Counsel Ahmed J. M. Bockerie while the Defendant was defended by Prince Ade Williams and M. Y. Conteh.
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