By: Alimatu Kargbo
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Two petty traders, Kadiatu Kondeh and Mariama Stella Koroma, have been remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown after making their first appearance before Magistrate Adama Kandeh of Pademba Road Court No. 4 on Wednesday, 12th November 2025.
The accused were arraigned on four counts each, ranging from possession, transportation, dealing, and sale of prohibited drugs without lawful authority, contrary to Sections 7(b) and 8(a) of the National Drug Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
According to the particulars of offence, Kadiatu Kondeh was, on 15th October 2025, found at Kolley Compound, Aberdeen, Freetown, in possession of 239 wraps of cannabis sativa and one small black polythene bag containing loose quantities of the substance, all without lawful authority. She was further accused of transporting, dealing in, and selling the prohibited drug on the same date and location.
Similarly, Mariama Stella Koroma was alleged to have been found at the same address in possession of 509 wraps of “kush”, also without lawful authority. The prosecution alleges that she equally transported, dealt in, and sold the substance in contravention of the National Drug Control Act.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused persons, no plea was taken. Prosecutor C.P. Zizer T.B. appeared for the State, while both defendants were unrepresented by legal counsel at the time of their first appearance.
The prosecution served the case docket on the accused, and Magistrate Kandeh, citing the serious nature of the offences, refused bail and ordered that both defendants be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 19th November 2025 for further proceedings.
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The case highlights the complex nature of drug trafficking in Sierra Leone, but it also raises questions about the root causes. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education are often driving forces behind illegal activities like drug dealing. What steps are being taken to address these underlying issues?
Your point is valid — drug trafficking cases like this do expose deeper socioeconomic challenges. However, it’s important to recognize that this particular incident is still under investigation, and the SLPHA has already clarified that the container reportedly linked to Sierra Leone actually left the port empty, with all documentation in order.
That said, the broader issues you mentioned — poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities — are indeed factors that make many young people vulnerable to the influence of criminal networks. Addressing these requires long-term, coordinated action. This includes:
Strengthening education and skills training to give young people practical pathways into employment.
Expanding job creation initiatives, especially in sectors like agriculture, tourism, technology, and logistics.
Increasing community-level support systems, including youth mentorship, awareness programs, and early intervention strategies.
Improving law-enforcement capacity to ensure that vulnerable communities are protected from exploitation by traffickers.
While this specific case still awaits clarification from Nigerian authorities, tackling the underlying socioeconomic pressures is essential in preventing similar issues in the future.