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A farmer, Foday Kanu, has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by Magistrate Harold Kamara of the Masiaka Magistrate Court for unlawfully possessing a short gun without authorization.
Kanu, a resident of Bathlol village in the Koya Chiefdom of Port Loko District, was arrested on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Bo Road Checkpoint in Masiaka town, and found in possession of a short gun without a license.
Kanu was arraigned before Magistrate Kamara on August 27, 2025, and charged with Unlawful Possession of Small Arms contrary to Section 11 (1) of the Arms and Ammunition Act No. 9 of 2012. He pleaded guilty to the charge and asked the court for leniency, stating that he was a first-time offender and promised not to commit a similar offence in the future.
Despite Kanu’s plea for mercy, Magistrate Kamara sentenced him to six months imprisonment or a fine of One Thousand Leones (NLE 1,000), citing security concerns and the seriousness of the offense. The Magistrate emphasised the need for deterrence in society to maintain peaceful coexistence.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kamara stated that the court considers the prevalence of such acts and the need to deter others from committing similar offences. He convicted Kanu based on his guilty plea and sentenced him accordingly, pursuant to Section 29(1) of the Arms and Ammunition Act of 2012.
