RSLAF Corporal Appears in Court Over Colleague’s Murder, Remanded in Prison

Corporal Joseph Lamin Stevens of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) appeared before Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on Tuesday, facing a murder charge.

Stevens is accused of fatally shooting his colleague, Military Officer Moses Brima Kabba, on Wednesday, 26th November 2025, at the Presidential Lodge within Freetown International Airport, Lungi. The incident reportedly occurred in the Port Loko Judicial District.

The single count of murder is brought contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021. Given the severity of the charge, the accused was not required to enter a plea.

During proceedings, Prosecutor ASP Ibrahim Mansaray confirmed that all relevant legal documents had been served on the defense. He requested a brief adjournment to finalize the taking of the defendant’s statement, a request that was granted by the bench.

Magistrate Jah ordered that Corporal Stevens be remanded at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre.

The case was adjourned to 20th January 2026 for further hearing.