By Fatima Kpaka
Kono, Sierra Leone – Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono has sentenced Alusine Kemoh to 15 years imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawful possession of drugs, specifically kush. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Kemoh faced a single count charge under Section 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008. According to the indictment, he was arrested on November 11, 2025, in the Kono Judicial District with 47 wraps of kush in his possession without lawful authority.
The case was committed to the High Court following preliminary investigations. In his judgment, Justice Bangura stated that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Kemoh’s conviction.
State Prosecutor Charles Foday Sesay noted that the defendant had no prior criminal record. During allocutus, Kemoh pleaded for mercy. His defense counsel, Alpha Osman Kamara, also appealed for leniency, stressing that Kemoh was a first-time offender and a young man with potential for reform.
However, Justice Bangura described the defendant’s conduct as “despicable,” emphasizing that drug-related offenses have severely impacted Sierra Leone’s youth. He insisted that the court must take firm action against offenders to deter further crimes.
“I therefore sentence him to fifteen (15) years imprisonment and order the substance found with him to be destroyed,” Justice Bangura ruled.