Judge Sends Two Women To 10 Years Jail
By Fatima Sesay
Justice Mark Ngegba of the high court in Freetown, on Monday 17th November 2025, sentenced Mariama Thomas and Fatmata Kamara to five years imprisonment each for unlawful possession of 50.0 grams of kush.
The Defendants, Mariama Thomas and Fatmata Kamara, were arraigned before the learned judge on one count charge each of Unlawful Possession of drugs contrary to section 8(a) of the National drug control Act 2008 Act No 10 of 2008.
According to the indictments the defendants, on 22nd March 2025 in Freetown, were both found in possession of 50.0 grams of Kush without lawfully authority.
When the charge was read, explained and put to them, they both pleaded guilty, each on their respective charge.
The State Prosecutor, Aruna Jalloh, in a brief fact before the court, said he relied on particulars of the offence, adding that they were both arrested with the same quantity and that upon their arrest, were investigated and subsequently charged to court, were a preliminary investigation was conducted, and thereafter the matter was committed to the high court, pursuant to section 116 of the CPA.
The first defendant, Mariama Thomas, in her alocutus, said she did what she did out of good will and further pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy.
Fatmata Kamara, also in her alocutus, pleaded with the judge to temper justice with mercy, adding that she did what she did due to porverty and that she has five children to take care of.
Defense Counsel, M.Y Conteh, in his plea of mitigation on their behalf, stated that they have not wasted the Court’s time by pleading guilty.
He said the essence of Justice does not stop at punishment, but also rehabilitation; stating further that since the inception of the matter they have been kept in custody and that there is no records to prove otherwise.
In the circumstances, he pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy by giving them a minimal sentence.
State Counsel in his reply, said that not withstanding the fact that the defendants did not waste the Court’s time, but the offences for which they were charged are very serious, adding that it has destroyed the youths in the society.
He therefore requested for a maximum Jail term of 10 years each, which he said will serve as a warning to others.
Justice Ngegba, in his ruling, said that even though the defendants had not wasted the Court’s time, but added that he has a duty to protect the law, and in the circumstances, sentenced both defendants to five years imprisonment each, which will run concorently.
