High Court Judge Honourable Justice Khalilah Diana Kamara has sentenced Hawa Dukuly to 35 years imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs under Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act of 2008.
The offence occurred on 11th June 2025 in Lungi, North-West Sierra Leone, where Dukuly was found in possession of 800.4 grams of cocaine without lawful authority. During her arraignment, she admitted guilt.
In a plea for leniency, Dukuly’s lawyer highlighted that she is a mother of two and the principal caregiver. However, Justice Kamara said that while the guilty plea and mitigating factors were noted, they did not outweigh the seriousness of the offence.
“The country is at a crossroads in the fight against narcotics. Sentences must send a clear message to deter others,” the Judge stated. She emphasized that the sentence serves both justice and national deterrence.
In addition to the prison term, Justice Kamara ordered the destruction of the 800.4 grams of cocaine under the supervision of approved witnesses. A certificate confirming the destruction must be filed with the court within seven working days.
