A Sierra Leone High Court has sentenced a man to 60 years in prison for unlawful possession and keeping of prohibited drugs, following his conviction in the Kambia Judicial District, court officials said.
Justice Sahr Elogima Kekura, a resident High Court judge in Port Loko covering Kambia District, handed down the sentence to Mohamed Yillah after he pleaded guilty to multiple drug-related offences under the National Drugs Control Act of 2008 and the Drugs and Substance Abuse Public Emergency Regulations of 2024.
Yillah was among three defendants arraigned before the High Court on a total of 15 counts, including unlawful possession, selling and keeping of prohibited drugs.
According to the prosecution, Yillah was arrested on Nov. 8, 2025, at Bamoi Luma in Magbema Chiefdom, Kambia District, where he was found selling 17.5 grams of cannabis sativa without lawful authority. He was also found in possession of a black rubber bucket containing a loose quantity of dried cannabis leaves.
The second defendant, Foday Ali Kamara, was found in possession of 294.5 grams of cannabis sativa at the same location and date, while the third defendant, Ibrahim Kamara, was accused of selling 36.5 grams of the drug.
In delivering judgment, Justice Kekura cited the growing public health and social harm caused by drug abuse, particularly among young people.
The court said Yillah pleaded guilty to six counts. He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on three counts and 15 years’ imprisonment on three additional counts. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 60 years.
Kamara pleaded guilty to one count and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Proceedings on the remaining counts against the defendants were adjourned to Feb. 4, 2026, the court said.
By Feima Sesay
