Freetown, August 27, 2025 — A Nigerian national has been committed to stand trial at the High Court in Freetown over allegations of cocaine trafficking.
Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah on Tuesday, August 26, ruled that prosecutors had presented enough evidence to proceed against Iwuchukwu Ebere Christian, who is accused of attempting to traffic 46 pellets of cocaine through the Freetown International Airport in Lungi.
Christian faces three counts under Sierra Leone’s National Drugs Control Act of 2008, including collection, transportation, and dealing in prohibited drugs without lawful authority.
According to police reports, the accused was intercepted at the airport on June 25, 2025. Forensic analyst Joseph Stevens of the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) testified that he examined the seized substance at the request of Inspector Alpha Steven Turay.
Stevens told the court that the pellets, weighing a combined 900.4 kilograms, tested positive for cocaine hydrochloride. His findings were admitted as evidence.
Defense lawyer Kamara questioned the forensic procedures and the chain of custody, but State Counsel Nathaniel argued that a strong case had been established.
Magistrate Jah sided with the prosecution, describing the expert testimony as credible and sufficient.
The accused has been remanded in custody while awaiting trial at the High Court.
