Prison officer in court for trafficking
Desmond Melvin Pratt, a serving member of the Sierra Leone Prisons Department, yesterday appeared before Magistrate Johannes Wellington of Court 2, to answer to two count charges of unlawful possession and transporting of prohibited drugs contrary to section 8(a) and 7(b) of the National Drugs Control Act No10 of 2008.
In the particulars of the offence, it is stated that the accused, Saturday 4th June, at the Maximum Central Prison on Pademba Road, posed without lawful authority with prohibited drugs -to wit- cannabis sativa (tetrahydrocanabinol).
The accused unlawfully transported to the Central Maximum Prison yard the quantity of prohibited drugs sealed in a red and white plastic and wrapped in a brown cement paper.
In his application, Lawyer defending the accused L. Taylor requested for bail referencing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
“My Lord,” he said, “the accused is a responsible citizen and will virtually not jump if granted.”
He added that the accused will unfailingly not interfere with the prosecution at all.
Prosecuting officer, Inspector A. F Heals, objected to bail, emphasizing on the seriousness of the offence and the level of publicity it carries.
The Magistrate, in his submission, over ruled application of the defence and remanded the accused in custody pending assessment of case.
The matter was therefore adjourned to the 17th of June.
By Ibrahim Sahid Kamara
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