By Mamajah Jalloh
The ongoing highly alleged drug case of Charles Udom was again arraigned before magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No2. on Friday, 8th August, 2025, on four count charges.
The accused was standing for Collecting a Prohibited drug without lawful Authority- Contrary to section 7 (b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008, Transporting a Prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to section 7 (b) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008, Dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful Authority- Contrary to section 7 (c) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No.10 of 2008 and Possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008, Act No. 10 of 2008.
According to the police charge sheet that you on Sunday, 23rd March, 2025, at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the Pork Loko District, in the Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone l, collects a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count two stated that you on the same date and place above transport a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count three further indicated that you on the same date and place above, deals in a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Count four furthered that you on the same date and place above, was found in possession of twenty -five (25) pellets of cocaine without lawful authority.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused person no plea was taken.
The Defence Counsel A. H. Navo applied and adopted his previous bail conditions on behalf of the accused person.
The state prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of police Sorie Conteh led in prosecution witness number two Joseph Stevens a forensic Analyst who is responsible for to analyse during and other chemical substances which are being submitted to him for analysis and expert opinion.
Stevens recalled on Monday, 24th, March, 2025, was on duty when Detective Inspector Turay A.attached to the Technical Operation and Communication Unit submitted to him for a Laboratory request form indicating for him to analyse 25 pellets of white powder substance suspected to be cocaine weighing 325.0 grains allegedly arrested with the accused.
He went on to say that he conducted a presumptive analysis in the presence of the accused and later collected sample for further laboratory examination and analysis.
Stevens noted that he also conducted chemical analysis and microscopic crystal examination and at the end of the analysis it was identified that the sample collected was cocaine hydrocloride and later reduced the said analysis into a report which had since been in police custody signed and dated on th 26th March, 2025, now produced and tendered as Exhibit E and the result as Exhibit F.
Meanwhile, magistrate Fornah refused bail due to the nature of the offences charged and sent him on remand to the male correctional center in freetown.
The case has been adjourned to the 18th of August, 2025, for the continuation of his trial
