A Nigerian national, Nuoha Chineuye, from Edo State, made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Freetown Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1, facing four charges related to the unlawful possession, collection, transportation, and dealing with prohibited drugs.

The charges, which are in violation of the National Drugs Control Act 2008 No. 10 of 2008, stem from an incident on September 3, 2024, at the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko District, where Chineuye was found with 15 pellets of cocaine.

During the hearing, the accused’s lawyer, Defense Counsel I.A. Mansaray, applied for bail, citing the accused’s poor health condition. Mansaray also assured the court that reliable sureties were available for the accused’s bail application.

He referenced Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedures Act 1965, requesting that the accused person’s medical status be re-examined by the Correctional Medical Officer, given his unhealthy condition.

However, despite the application for bail, Magistrate Kekura did not grant the request, though the court did approve the re-examination of Chineuye’s medical condition.

The State Prosecutor did not present any documents or affidavits to oppose the bail application, nor was there any indication of legal objections to the request for the accused’s medical re-assessment.

The case was adjourned to November 12, 2024, due to the accused’s ongoing health issues. The prosecution is being handled by State Counsel I.A. Mansaray, who is expected to continue the legal proceedings