Abu Bakar Kamara, a 31-year-old resident of Swaray Drive in Allen Town, Freetown, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 in May 2023. He was charged with the unlawful possession of 457 wraps of a substance suspected to be Kush.

Abubakar Kamara was arrested on May 23, 2023, by Detective Police Constable (DPC) 14958 Kamara E, on a charge of unlawful possession under section 8(a) of the National Drugs Act of 2008.

The prosecution alleged that on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at Swaray Drive in Allen Town, Freetown, the accused was found in possession of 457 wraps of a substance suspected to be Kush.

Sub-Inspector Sulaiman Kamara, attached to the Operations Unit at the Kissy Police Divisional headquarters in Freetown, testified as a prosecution witness. He claimed to recognize the accused and recalled the events of Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

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According to his testimony, on that date, he received information that unidentified individuals were at the Allen Town Cemetery. Acting on this information, he and Superintendent J.S Koroma boarded SLP 098 and headed to the crime scene at Allen Town Cemetery. Upon arrival, they witnessed a group of men fleeing the scene.

During the arrest process, the accused, known as Ice, was found in possession of 457 wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Kush, along with two packets of cigarettes and 955 leones in cash.

The witness stated that they subsequently took the accused and the seized items to the Kissy Police station. He also documented his findings in a report, which was presented as evidence in court. He concluded by stating that he handed over the accused to the investigating officer.

During cross-examination, defense counsel A. B. Kamara inquired about the date of the accused’s arrest, to which the witness confirmed it was on May 3, 2023. The defense further asked whether the arrest took place in a ghetto or a house. The witness clarified that the accused was apprehended at the back of Allen Town Cemetery.

The defense then questioned whether the accused was arrested while in possession of the alleged substances. The witness affirmed this to be true. The defense counsel pressed further, asking if the witness wanted the court to believe that the accused was running away when he was arrested with the substances. The witness responded affirmatively, stating that the arrest took place when the accused attempted to flee.

The defense counsel inquired about the exact location of the arrest, but the witness was unable to provide the information. The defense counsel argued that the witness was not part of the arresting team, to which the witness admitted.

The defense suggested that the accused was arrested at his residence, not at the back of Allen Town Cemetery as alleged. The witness clarified that the accused was indeed arrested at the address mentioned in Freetown.

Lawyer Kamara applied for bail on behalf of his client, invoking section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1975. In response, Magistrate Kekura granted bail in the amount of 200,000 leones, requiring a surety who resides in Freetown. The bail was subject to approval by the Deputy Master and Registrar.

The case was adjourned to June 7, 2023, for further hearing.