Judge Slams 31 Years Jail Term On 70 Years Old Woman
By Fatima Sesay
Justice Mark Ngegba of the High Court in Freetown, on Thursday 20th November 2025, sentenced Ya-Kadiatu Barrie, an aged woman above 70 years, to 31 years jail term for unlawful possession of Kush
The convict was arraigned on three (3) count charges of Keeping a prohibited drug contrary to regulations 15 of the drugs and substance abuse public emergency response regulations 2024, Unlawful Possession of drug contrary to section 8(a) of the national drug control Act 2008, Act No 10 of 2008 and other related charge.
According to the indictment, the convict, Ya-Kadiatu Barrie, on 20th October 202, at Makeni in the Bombali District, Northern province, was found keeping 40 grams of a prohibited drug called “Kush” without lawful authority.
It was further alleged that the convict, on the same date and place, was found in possession of 60.4 grams of Tramadol without lawful authority.
When the charges were read, explained and put to the convict, she pleaded guilty.
State Counsel, C. P Williams, in a brief fact before the court, said he relied on the particulars of the offence and also the plea of the convict.
Having heard these, Justice Ngegba found the convict guilty as charged.
The convict, Ya-Kadiatu Barrie, in her allocutus, pleaded with the Judge to temper justice with mercy on her, adding that she is an old woman above 70 years, and sending her to prison will deteriorate her health.
Defense Counsel A. K Dauda, in his plea of mitigation on behalf of the defendant, begged the bench to temper justice with mercy, adding that she did not waste the Court’s time by pleading guilty.
He further urged Justice Ngegba to consider the age when handing down his sentence.
The State Prosecutor in reply, asked for 10 years minimum on count 2 and 3 and 18 years maximum on count 1.
Justice Mark Ngegba in his ruling, stated that he has considered the allocutus by the convict and plea of mitigation by the defense, adding that there is no gainsay in which drug abuse is destroying the society.
“I have not lost sight however, of the convict’s age, and for such circumstances, the convict is therefore sentenced as follows”,
On count one she is sentenced to 17 years, count two 7 years and count three 7 years, to run concurently.
