By Mamajah Jalloh
In an highly murder trial, Abu Bakarr Yillah a forty- seven years old police officer attached to the Operations Division, Kambia Division was on Wednesday 30 October 2024 committed to High Court By Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No2 for the alleged murder of Fasineh Bangura.
The accused made his first appearance in court and was arraigned on one count of murder contrary to section 1 of the offences against the person act 1861 as repealed and replace by section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the death penalty act 2021, Act No 6 of 2022.
According to the indictments, the accused Abu Bakarr Yillah on Wednesday 13 July 2022, at Yana Village, in the Tambakha Yombagie Chiefdom, in the Karene Judicial district in the Northwest region murdered Fasineh Bangura.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused no plea was taken
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sorie Conteh led in his prosecution witnesses and the file was withdrawn for judgment.
Magistrate Bangura delivered that the accused herein is charged with one count of Murder, Contrary to section 1 of the Offences against the Person Act of 1861 as repeal and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of Death Penalty Act 2022.
It is alleged against him that on Wednesday the day of July 2022 at Vana Village, in the Tambaka Vombagie Chiefdom, in Karene Judicial District, in the North-West Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone, he murdered one Fasineh Bangura.
Because of the indictable nature of the offence herein we conducted a preliminary investigation against the accused. In that regard, the prosecution is required to adduce sufficient evidence that should establish a prema face case to be answered by the accused in order for him to be committed to stand trial at the High Court.
In discharging this burden against the accused, the prosecution called five witnesses including the formal witnesses. At the close of their case, defence counsel filed a no case to answer submission on behalf of the accused to which the prosecution replied. He withdrew the file for ruling.
Magistrate Bangura considered the no case submission made and the circumstance in which same could be upheld. Having regard to the totality of the evidence adduced, I am satisfied that the prosecution have raised a prema face case to be answered by the accused on trial. Consequently, he thereby committed him to the High Court to stand his trial.
