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A Freetown High Court judge has sentenced a woman to 45 years in prison after she was caught attempting to smuggle a stash of tramadol, cannabis, and kush to her husband during his criminal trial.
On Monday, May 25, 2026, Justice Mark Ngegba convicted Zainab Bintu Samura on six counts of unlawful possession and dealing in prohibited drugs under the 2008 National Drugs Control Act. The ruling brings a conclusion to a dramatic courtroom breach that occurred late last year.
Delivering his judgment at the Criminal Division of the High Court, Justice Ngegba stated that prosecutors A. Jalloh and E.A. Deen had proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. He noted that Samura failed to show any lawful authority for possessing the prohibited substances, as required under Section 17 of the Act.
“The defendant was found in possession of and dealing with tramadol, cannabis sativa and kush,” Justice Ngegba ruled.
The judge returned guilty verdicts on all six counts. Samura was sentenced to 15 years in prison for each of the first four counts, and 45 years each for counts five and six. Because the sentences are structured to run concurrently, she will serve a maximum of 45 years behind bars.
During the trial, the court heard from three prosecution witnesses, including Detective Police Constable Abdul Koroma from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU), and reviewed forensic evidence confirming the nature of the seized drugs. Samura, represented by defense attorney M.Y. Conteh, had pleaded not guilty upon her arraignment in February 2026.
The charges stem from a chaotic incident on November 6, 2025, at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1. According to court records and witness accounts, Samura attended a hearing for her husband, Joseph Kabia, alias “Manager,” who was actively facing 17 charges including forgery, unlawful concealment of ammunition, and possession of arms without a license.
While Kabia was seated in the courtroom waiting for his trial to proceed, Samura reportedly arrived carrying a black handbag, which she placed near him. She then attempted to discretely slide a white plastic bag from the handbag underneath her husband’s seat.
Prison officers Madina Sesay and Isha Bundu spotted the suspicious movement and immediately intervened. When the officers pulled the bag from under Kabia’s seat, they discovered it contained an assortment of prohibited drugs. According to forensic analysis, the package held 100.4 grams of tramadol (210 pink circular blistered tablets), 60 grams of kush and 40 grams of loose cannabis sativa.
The discovery sparked a sudden scuffle inside the courtroom. Seeing the officers retrieve the bag, Kabia reportedly tried to snatch the contraband back, forcing security to physically restrain him to prevent further escalation. Samura was immediately arrested by TOCU officers and taken into custody.
Following the incident, authorities mandated tighter security protocols at judicial facilities to prevent contraband from breaching courtroom environments. Joseph Kabia currently remains in remand custody awaiting the conclusion of his own trial.
