A Sierra Leonean businesswoman accused of possessing cocaine at the country’s main airport has been committed to the High Court for trial after a magistrate ruled there was enough evidence to prosecute, court officials said on Thursday.
Mishella Koroma was arrested on May 10 at Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko District, with two small parcels of cocaine, according to police. She faces four counts under the National Drug Control Act, including possession, transportation, collection and dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority.
Magistrate John Manson Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 said during a committal ruling that testimony from three prosecution witnesses had established a prima facie case linking Koroma to the offences. He cited legal precedents emphasising that in a preliminary investigation, the court only needs to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to send a matter for trial, not to decide guilt or innocence.
“The prosecution has provided enough evidence connecting the accused with the charges to warrant committal to the High Court,” Fornah said, quoting case law on the burden of proof and the duty to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
Defence lawyer C. Pujeh applied for bail, arguing that Koroma had credible sureties willing to guarantee her appearance in court. Fornah rejected the application, saying the gravity of the charges and the potential penalty justified keeping her in custody.
Koroma has made 10 appearances in court since her arrest and has remained in detention throughout the preliminary hearings. No plea has yet been entered.
Police say the drugs were discovered during routine checks on passengers and luggage at the airport, which serves as the country’s main gateway for international flights. The value and destination of the cocaine were not immediately disclosed.
Sierra Leone has faced growing concerns over drug trafficking in recent years, with officials warning that smugglers are exploiting weak border controls to move narcotics from South America through West Africa to Europe and the Middle East. The government has pledged to tighten surveillance at airports, seaports and land crossings as part of a broader effort to curb organised crime.
Under Sierra Leone’s National Drug Control Act of 2008, possession or trafficking of cocaine carries heavy penalties, including long prison terms. Convictions for large-scale smuggling can result in life sentences.
Koroma’s case will be assigned to a High Court judge in Freetown, where prosecutors are expected to present further evidence and call additional witnesses. A trial date has not yet been set.
By Ibrahim Kamara
