Justice Sangtigie Bangura Slams 15 Years Imprisonment On Youth

By Fatima Sesay

Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Kono, on Wednesday 4th March 2026 sentenced one Alusine Kemoh to 15 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of possessing drugs (kush).

The defendant was before the court on one count charge of unlawful possession, contrary to section 8a of the National drug control Act 2008.

According to the indictment, the defendant, on the 11th November 2025 at Kono Judicial District, in the Eastern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone, was found in possession of 47 wraps of kush without lawful authority.

The matter commenced before the learned Judge after the defendant was committed to the High Court for further trial upon completion of Preliminary Investigation proceedings at the Magistrate Court.

In delivering his ruling, Justice Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura said the prosecution has discharged the burden of proving their case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He was therefore found guilty as charged.

The State Prosecutor, Charles Foday Sesay, in his submission after the defendant was found guilty, said he has no previous criminal conviction against the defendant.

The convict, in his allocutus, pleaded with the judge for mercy.

Defense Counsel Alpha Osman Kamara, in his plea of mitigation, said the defendant is a first time offender and a younger man, with the character and opportunity to reform himself. In that light, he pleaded with the Judge to temper Justice with mercy by considering the minimum sentence.

Justice Bangura, in his ruling, said the conduct of the defendant is one that is despicable, as together with other convicts they have negatively impacted the lives of the youthful population of Sierra Leone and therefore the court must take a tough action against them.

“I therefore sentence him to fifteen (15) years imprisonment, and I order the substance found with him to be destroyed”, he ruled.