By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, July 23, 2025 — A local headman, Abraham Lesford, has been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 following allegations of drug possession.
Lesford is charged with unlawful possession of prohibited drugs, specifically ‘kush’, in violation of Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008. The alleged offense occurred on October 4, 2024, at Cline Town, Freetown, where authorities reportedly found a loose quantity of kush in his possession.
During the committal hearing, Magistrate Jah stated that the prosecution, led by State Counsel Abubakarr Nat Taylor Kamara, presented four witnesses whose testimonies were corroborative. The accused was allowed to cross-examine the witnesses and later indicated his wish to testify at the High Court and call his witnesses.
Lesford also requested to change the statements he made at the police station, claiming he had been tortured and unwell at the time they were obtained.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Jah expressed satisfaction that the prosecution had presented sufficient grounds for trial and officially committed the case to the High Court.
This development adds to ongoing efforts by Sierra Leone’s judiciary to clamp down on the trafficking and unlawful possession of drugs, including kush, which has become a growing concern in local communities.