By Alimatu Kargbo
Francis Sowa a business man made his first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit: Possession of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, Act No.10 of 2008 and Dealing in prohibited drugs without lawful authority contrary to section 7 (c) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008, Act No.10 of 2008.
According to police documents, on Saturday 4th October 2025 at No. 15 Fagoyah Road, Bo Town – Kakua Chiefdom in the Bo Judicial District in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, he was found in possession of three hundred and fifty two 352 tablets of Ecstasy a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count two further stated that on the same date and place the defendant dealt in prohibited drugs without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendant no plea was taken
The State prosecutor A.B.N Taylor Kamara Esq intimated the court that they wish to tender all documents pursuant to section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.8 of 2024 and he then tendered the arresting officers report dated 4th October 2025, search warrant dated 4th August 2025, laboratory request form dated 7th October 2025, laboratory analysis dated 9th October 2025, voluntary caution statement of the defendant dated 4th and 5th October 2025, additional caution statement dated 6th October 2025, DPP advice dated 14th October 2025 and the charge statement of the defendant dated 17th October 2025.
All documents were produced and tendered in the court to formed part of the court records.
The defense counsel A. Sowa Esq. applied that he wants to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses and then applied for bail on behalf of the defendant pursuant to Section 76 (1) C of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 2024, saying he is a Sierra Leonean resident within the jurisdiction and has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognisance on his behalf and that he is a family man.
However, Magistrate Jah refused bail and sent the defendant to the Male Correctional facility in Freetown and adjourned the matter to 7th November 2025.
