By Alimatu Jalloh
Sierra Leone – In a decisive ruling aimed at curbing drug trafficking, Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, has sentenced 35-year-old Nigerian man, Newton Johnson, to 30 years imprisonment for unlawful collection and possession of 2.9 kilograms of cocaine.
Johnson, an engineer by profession, was convicted on two counts under the National Drug Control Act, 2008—Collecting a Prohibited Drug Without Lawful Authority and Unlawful Possession of Drugs. The sentencing took place on November 7, 2025, at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown.
According to State Counsel O.V. Robin Mason, Johnson was arrested on November 9, 2024, in Freetown after being found in possession of the narcotics. He confessed to the crime during police interrogation and maintained his guilty plea throughout the proceedings, despite being given multiple opportunities to reconsider.
In his plea for mitigation, Defence Counsel Alimamy Bangura highlighted Johnson’s cooperation with authorities and his role as a father of two, urging the Court to show leniency. However, Justice Allieu underscored the judiciary’s responsibility to uphold the law amid rising drug-related threats to public health and youth welfare.
“The inflow and distribution chains must be completely identified and terminated,” Justice Allieu declared. “We are more than committed to eradicating this menace that seeks to destroy the lives of our youthful population.”
Johnson received 30 years on the first count and 10 years on the second, with both sentences to run concurrently.