By Saio Marrah
Magistrate Mark Ngegba has granted bail to a man alleged to have imported a gun and some narcotic drugs from Philadelphia in the United State of America to Sierra Leone.
The conditions of the bail granted to Dennis Koroma are that he should provide two sureties with NLe 200,000 each with properties in Freetown and must be holders of the new National Identity Card.
The accused is in court to answer to four counts ranging from possession of firearms, and transfer of firearms without a license to the importation of prohibited drugs.
The prosecution alleges that on Monday 13th March this year at the Queen Elizabeth II quay, one black and silver-colored pistol with serial number ACK 409049 G3c 19 and 11 rounds of ammunition were found in a container he imported to Sierra Leone. In the same container was prohibited material believed to be a drug commonly called “kush” and charcoal.
On the 5th of April this year, Police Constable 17015 Ibrahim Barrie, attached at the Criminal Investigation Department in Freetown, informed the court in his testimony that during their visit to the port, one custom officer opened the container and discovered in one of the barrels a pistol with 11 rounds of ammunition, and further discovered a box containing plastic with two rolls of charcoal and dry leaves suspected to be “kush”.
The court was also told that when the accused was invited to the Ross Road Police Station, he admitted ownership of the items saying he brought the drug to Sierra Leone because he has been using it in the United States. He said the pistol was for his self-defence, while the charcoal was for his use in smoking shisha.
Answering questions from defence lawyer, Hindolo M. Gevao, the accused said he was aware of the laws of firearms in the country. He said the barrel had not been cleared from customs and excise before he was accused of possessing “kush”.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (12/04/23)
