Aiah Matturie, a diamond miner, has been committed to the High Court by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

Matturie was before the court on three count charges of possession of prohibited drugs, transporting of prohibited drugs and dealing with prohibited drug without lawful authority, contrary to section 8 (a) of the National Drug Control Act of 2008.

According to police files, on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, at Maseneh Police checkpoint along the Magburaka, Matotoka highway, the accused was found in possession of two bales, three wraps, and twenty compressed parcels of cannabis sativa without lawful authority. It was further alleged that on the same date and place, he was dealing in and transporting prohibited drugs. When the charges were read, no plea was taken as the matter was at the preliminary investigation stage.

In his submission, State Prosecutor A.B.N. Taylor Kamara said the prosecution had led sufficient prima facie evidence showing that the accused was found in direct possession of the prohibited substance and had no lawful authority to transport it. He therefore urged the court to commit the accused to the High Court for trial.

Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Braima Jah said he had carefully examined the evidence before the court, including the testimonies of witnesses and the exhibits tendered by the prosecution. He noted that the substance tested positive for cannabis sativa and that the accused failed to provide any legal justification for being in possession of such a large quantity.

Magistrate Jah emphasized that the role of the lower court at this stage is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to warrant a trial in the High Court. He said the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case linking the accused to the alleged offences.

In conclusion, Magistrate Jah ruled that there was enough evidence to commit Aiah Matturie to stand trial before the High Court in Freetown. He therefore ordered that the accused be remanded in custody pending his appearance before the superior court.