Caught At Lungi Airport… Magistrate Commits Cocaine Businesswoman To High Court

By Fatima Sesay

Mishella Koroma, a businesswoman, was on Thursday 11th September 2025, sent to the High Court for further trial by Magistrate John Manson Fornah of Pademba Road court No.2 after she was found with 2 parcels of Cocaine at Freetown International Airport.

Magistrate Fornah, in his commital  ruling, said the accused stands trial on four counts charges and that the matter commenced by way of a Preliminary Investigation.

The Prosecution, he said called 3 formal witnesses, who were fully cross-examined, adding that in all criminal cases, it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt to grant a conviction, which is legally referred to as the burden and standard of proof held in Woolington vs DPP 1935.

“‘ However if the Prosecution fails to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, the accused must, as of right and not by way of favour, be found not guilty and subsequently must be acquitted and discharged, as held by Bankole Jones in the case of Koroma vs R (1964-66) ALR SL 424”, he stated.

In conclusion the Magistrate said that since the matter is a PI, and what it requires is a premafacie evidence connecting the accused with  the offences charged so as to warrant a commital of the matter to the high court for further trial.

After the commital ruling, Defense Counsel C Pujeh applied for bail on her behalf on the grounds that she has reliable sureties to stand on her recognizance.

Magistrate Fornah however refused bail, due to the serious nature of the offence.

In light of the above the accused was committed to the High Court for further trial.

It could be recalled that the accused Mishella Koroma was arraigned before the court on four count charges, ranging from Collecting drug without lawful authority, contrary to section 7(b) of the National drug control Act No. 10 of 2008, Dealing in a prohibited drug without lawful authority, Transports a prohibited drug and Possession of a prohibited drug without lawful authority.

According to the indictment on count one, the accused on Sunday 10th May 2025, at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the Port Loko District, Northern province  l, collected a prohibited drug without lawful authority.

The police further alleged that the accused Mishella Koroma on the same date and place deal in a prohibited drug without lawful authority.

It was also alleged on counts three that the accused transports a prohibited drug without lawful authority.

Whiles count four added that the accused on the same date and place, was found in possession of two small parcels of Cocaine without lawful authority.

Before the commital of the matter to the High Court for further trial, the accused made 10 subsequent appearances in court and had been in prison since then.