By Saio Marrah
The Exhibit Clerk attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police, Detective Constable Mohamed Jalloh, has presented 36 wraps of substance believed to be the prohibited drug, commonly known as kush and other items at a Magistrate’s court president over by Principal Magistrate, Mark Ngegba.
Detective Jalloh told the court on Thursday 9th February, 2023, that the exhibits were handed over to him while on duty at CID Headquarter in Freetown on 6th January this year after they had been confiscated from a Police constable 12960 Ferenkeh Paul Turay, attached to the East, Police Station and a resident at BA9 Room 3 New Police Barracks in Bo City. The officer was arrested.
The prosecution alleges that on the 5th of January this year, at 11:00 hours, Detective Commandant, Superintendent of Police, Anthony Gaya of the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA), Hastings, was assisted by three police recruits in apprehending constable Turay.
During cross examination, defence lawyer for the 33 year old accused, Charles Williams asked the exhibit clerk if he opened up the parcels containing the substances handed to him to confirm what was contained in them to which he replied in the negative. The lawyer then told the witness it was his responsibility to cross check what had been handed over to him and put it to him that there was no indication that the content of the wrapped papers were “kush.”
The lawyer applied for bail for his client, according to him, his client would then be able to participate in his defence.
The magistrate granted to the accused in the sum of 50 thousand new Leones backed by two sureties who must be 40 years of age and resident in Freetown.
Lawyer Christiana Davies Cole is the prosecutor.
The case has been adjourned to 23rd February, this year.
Copyright © 2023 Politico Online (10/02/23)
