Foreign National Sentenced to 30 Years for Cocaine Possession in Freetown
By Fatima Sesay
The Court of Appeal Judge Justice Simeon Allieu on Friday, 7th November 2025, sentenced a Nigerian national, Newton Johnson, to 30 years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of 2.9 kilograms of cocaine.
Johnson, an engineer by profession, faced two charges: collecting a prohibited drug without lawful authority and unlawful possession of drugs, contrary to Sections 7(b) and 8 of the National Drug Control Act, 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
During his arraignment, Johnson confessed to collecting and possessing the 2.9 kilograms of cocaine, maintaining his guilty plea despite being given multiple opportunities to reconsider.
State Counsel O.V. Robin Mason told the Court that on 9th November 2024, in Freetown, Western Area, Johnson was found in possession of the illegal drugs.
He was arrested, interrogated, and subsequently charged with the two counts following a police investigation.
In his plea for leniency, Defence Counsel Alimamy Bangura noted that Johnson had fully complied with the investigation and judicial process. He described Johnson as a young father of two and urged the Court to temper justice with mercy.
Delivering judgment, Justice Allieu emphasized the Court’s duty to uphold the law amid rising drug trafficking and substance abuse, which pose serious threats to public health and youth wellbeing.
“The inflow and distribution chains must be completely identified and terminated, and the Court has a role to play in achieving this national fight,” Justice Allieu stated, adding, “We are committed to eradicating this menace that seeks to destroy the lives of our youthful population.”
Johnson was sentenced to thirty (30) years’ imprisonment on the first count and ten (10) years on the second, with both sentences to run concurrently.
