Witness Accuses OSD Officer of Murder in Fatal Election Protest Shooting
Aaron Parker On August 26, 2024, Mohamed Lamin Kamara testified before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown, accusing OSD officer Abu Bakarr Yillah of fatally shooting his younger brother, Fasinch Bangura, in the back of the head.
The incident occurred in Yana Town, Tambaka Yobanyi Chiefdom, Karene District, during a protest over a Paramount Chieftaincy election.
Kamara’s testimony was supported by a postmortem report, presented as Exhibit Z, which confirmed that Bangura died from a bullet wound.
Yillah, who was dismissed from the Sierra Leone Police, is charged with murder after allegedly discharging his firearm illegally, killing Bangura, who reportedly posed no threat.
Despite the Law Officers Department’s earlier advice to charge Yillah, the case had stalled for over three years, with Yillah on police bail.
However, under the orders of Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu, Yillah was re-arrested and charged.
The trial, prosecuted by DSP S. Conteh and with defense attorney C. Jalloh Esq. representing Yillah, has been adjourned to September 2, 2024, as the court seeks justice for Bangura’s death.