By: Ben T.C Brooks
River Gee County | May 21, 2026 | Judicial authorities in River Gee County have intensified Liberia’s nationwide fight against illegal narcotics, issuing several prison sentences in separate drug-related cases under the strengthened 2023 Drugs and Controlled Substances Act.
In one of the most notable rulings in recent months, the 15th Judicial Circuit Court sentenced a Nigerian national, identified as K.C. Okonkwo, to ten years in prison after he was convicted for unlawful possession of controlled substances.
The judgment was delivered during the February A.D. 2026 Term of Court by Her Honor Nancy Finda Sammy, then presiding Circuit Judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County.
Court documents show that Okonkwo was indicted by the Grand Jury of River Gee County on December 4, 2025. He faced charges of unlicensed possession and transportation of controlled substances offenses considered serious violations under Liberia’s narcotics laws.
During arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty, leading to a full jury trial in which both prosecution and defense presented evidence and witness testimony.
The jury initially returned a unanimous guilty verdict on all counts. However, upon final judicial review, then Judge Sammy ruled that prosecutors did not sufficiently prove the charge of unlicensed transportation beyond a reasonable doubt.
Despite that, the court upheld the conviction for unlawful possession of controlled substances, classified as a first-degree felony under Section 14.89.2(a) of the 2023 Drugs and Controlled Substances Act.
Sentencing Decision.
In determining the sentence, the court reviewed a conduct report from prison authorities regarding the defendant’s behavior while in custody.
The judge also cited statutory provisions prescribing a penalty range of 10 to 20 years for the offense.
As a result, the court imposed the minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment.
The judge further ordered that the ten months Okonkwo spent in pretrial detention, since May 26, 2025, be deducted from his sentence in accordance with Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law.
This adjustment means the defendant will serve approximately nine years and two months at the Fish-Town Central Prison.
The court subsequently directed the Clerk of Court to issue a formal commitment order instructing the Sheriff of the Court to transfer the convict into prison custody.
“And it is hereby so ordered,” Judge Nancy Finda Sammy stated in the final ruling issued under the official seal of the court.
However, sources familiar with the case indicated that the 36-year-old Nigerian national, who had been residing in Gbeapo Kanweaken, was long suspected of involvement in drug-related activities in the area.
Authorities allege that he had previously come under law enforcement scrutiny but continued his suspected operations until a major drug interception by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency on May 22, 2025.
During that operation, officers reportedly seized a suspicious parcel delivered by an unidentified vehicle. Upon inspection, authorities claim they discovered 106.9 grams of heroin and 101.0 grams of precursor substances, with an estimated street value of over LRD 713,700.
In a separate but related ruling, the Gbeapo Kanweaken Magisterial Court sentenced two additional men for drug-related offenses.
The convicts, Harrison Doe and Daniel Dweh of Tienpo Nyonken, were found guilty of unlawful possession, distribution, transportation, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances.
According to a formal “commitment upon conviction” issued by Liberia’s judicial branch, both men have been remanded to Fish-Town central prison under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice and Acting Prison Superintendent Lorrison G. Synmen.
Court records indicate that the two will serve one-year prison terms from May 18, 2026, to May 18, 2027.
The commitment order, signed and sealed by the Stipendiary Magistrate of the Kanweaken Magisterial Court, serves as the legal authority for their detention.
Prison officials confirmed that the convicts were received at approximately 8:21 a.m. on the same day by General Shift Supervisor PP Teddy Ponpon.
These latest convictions highlight ongoing efforts by judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies in River Gee County to combat the rising spread of illegal narcotics and enforce Liberia’s drug control laws.
Legal observers and residents say the rulings send a strong warning to drug traffickers that the judiciary remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting communities from the growing impact of narcotics.
The cases also reflect broader national concerns about increasing drug abuse and trafficking across Liberia, particularly in rural counties where enforcement operations and prosecutions continue to intensify.
