By Fatima Kpaka
Sierra Leone – December 5, 2025: The High Court of Sierra Leone has sentenced Nigerian national, Iwuchukwu Ebere Christian, to 30 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawful possession of 900 grams of cocaine. The ruling was delivered by Honourable Justice Mark Ngegba at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown.
Christian was arraigned on charges under Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008). He initially pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.
The prosecution alleged that on June 25, 2025, Christian was found at Lungi, North-West Sierra Leone, in possession of 46 pellets containing cocaine, weighing a total of 900 grams.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Joseph Stevens, attached to the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), testified that he conducted laboratory tests on the seized substance. The analysis confirmed it was cocaine. Stevens explained that the request for testing came from Detective Inspector Steven Alpha Turay on June 30, 2025.
Justice Ngegba emphasized that the prosecution bore the burden of proving the case beyond reasonable doubt. He noted that Christian admitted to possessing the pellets but failed to demonstrate any lawful authority to hold the prohibited substance.
In his plea for mercy, Christian told the court that the drugs were intended for transit from Nigeria through Sierra Leone to Ecuador. He revealed he had been promised USD 5,000 if the operation succeeded.
Defence counsel C. I. Williams argued for leniency, citing Christian’s status as a foreign national, father, and principal caregiver. However, State lawyer A. Jalloh urged the court to consider the seriousness of the crime and its potential damage to Sierra Leone’s reputation.
Delivering his verdict, Justice Ngegba stated:
“I hold that the Prosecution has provided sufficient evidence to warrant a guilty verdict against the Defendant. Hence, the defendant is therefore found guilty as charged and is therefore sentenced to thirty years (30) imprisonment.”
The ruling underscores Sierra Leone’s firm stance against drug trafficking and its commitment to upholding the integrity of the justice system.