Freetown, Sierra Leone — A High Court judge has handed a 30-year prison sentence to a woman convicted of unlawfully possessing and selling drugs to school pupils at the Prince of Wales School in Freetown.
Justice Josephine F. Hinga delivered the sentence after the accused, Kamara, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act, 2008.
According to a Judiciary report, Kamara, a single mother of three who sells chilled water on the school campus, was arrested in June after she was found in possession of 40 grams of Kush, which she had been selling to pupils.
She initially pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate Court, but the matter was later committed to the High Court where she changed her plea.
During mitigation, defence counsel C. Taylor-Young urged the court to consider a minimum sentence, highlighting that Kamara is the primary caregiver of her children and had shown signs of reform during her time at the Correctional Centre.
However, State Prosecutor J. K. Jan Abu argued for a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence, stressing the harm caused by drug dealers to Sierra Leone’s youth.
In her ruling, Justice Hinga acknowledged Kamara’s family situation but emphasised that selling drugs to schoolchildren is a grave offence contributing to the destruction of young lives. She said the 30-year sentence is intended to deter others and protect society from dangerous or repeat offenders.
The judge also ordered the destruction of the seized Kush in the presence of the Director of Public Prosecutions or a representative, the Master and Registrar of the High Court, and other relevant authorities. A destruction certificate must be submitted to the court.
