By: Alimatu Kargbo
A Nigerian national, Yusuf Shaka, has been remanded in custody after making another court appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 on charges of drug trafficking.
Shaka faces two charges: collecting cocaine without lawful authority and possession of cocaine without lawful authority, both in violation of the National Drug Control Act No.10 of 2008.
According to the prosecution, on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Freetown International Airport, Lungi, Shaka was caught with 15 pellets of cocaine while allegedly attempting to smuggle them to France. Eight of the pellets were swallowed, while the remaining seven were hidden in his socks.
During his testimony, Detective Sergeant 9589 Jabati PJK, an investigator with the Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), revealed that Shaka admitted to traveling from Italy to Sierra Leone solely to collect and traffic the drugs.
The accused allegedly excreted the swallowed pellets before being transferred to Freetown for further investigation.
Under cross-examination, Shaka’s defense counsel, Dr. Saffa Abdulai, applied for bail. However, Magistrate Kekura, citing the seriousness of the offense, denied the request and ordered that Shaka be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility. The case was adjourned to February 4, 2025, for further proceedings.
