By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 2025 – Justice Mark Ngegba has sentenced Umar Mansaray to twenty-five years imprisonment after convicting him of unlawful possession of 30.5 grams of kush, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
Mansaray was arraigned on four counts, including unlawful possession of drugs and unlawful possession of substances used in drug manufacturing under Section 10(a) of the Act. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution alleged that on 1 July 2025, in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone, Mansaray was found with 10.5 grams and 20 grams of kush without lawful authority.
State Prosecutor Aruna Jalloh Esq. presented evidence from Detective Police Constable Saffia Amara of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), who confirmed receiving the case file from Bo West Police Division. Amara testified that precursor chemicals and marshmallow leaves used in drug production were discovered during the investigation. Mansaray reportedly gave a voluntary caution statement admitting possession of the substance.
Inspector Steven Alpha Turay, also of TOCU, testified that he submitted eleven polyethylene bags containing dried leaves suspected to be kush, weighing 30.5 grams. Forensic tests confirmed the substance was kush.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Ngegba noted that Mansaray admitted possession but failed to prove lawful authority. He emphasized that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, the required legal standard.
“The accused is found guilty as charged,” Justice Ngegba declared.
In mitigation, Defence Lawyer C. I. Williams pleaded for leniency, citing Mansaray’s status as a foreign national, father, and principal caregiver.
However, State Counsel A. Jalloh argued that the crime was serious and had contributed to widespread harm among Sierra Leonean youths, with some losing their lives due to kush abuse.
Justice Ngegba, noting the gravity of the offence and the sufficiency of evidence, sentenced Mansaray to 25 years imprisonment.
The ruling underscores Sierra Leone’s strict enforcement of drug laws under the National Drugs Control Act of 2008, as authorities intensify efforts to combat the spread of kush, a synthetic drug linked to rising health and social crises among young people.