Forty-six-year-old twin brothers, Alhassan Fofanah and Alusine Fofanah, have reportedly been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown over the alleged murder of Mumunie Bah.

The two accused are facing five counts, including conspiracy to murder, murder, wounding with intent, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The prosecution alleges that on July 4, 2026, at No. 69A, Back of PWD Quarters, Sumaila Town, Freetown, the accused, together with other persons unknown, conspired to murder and subsequently murdered Bah.

The charge sheet further alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused wounded Alie Bangura with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and subsequently maliciously wounded and assaulted him, causing actual bodily harm.

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No plea was taken after the charges were read and explained to the accused.

The prosecution’s first witness, Detective Police Constable Ibrahim Kamara of the Criminal Investigation Department at Central Police Station, told the court that he was assigned the case file on July 4 after it was transferred from New England Police Station for further investigation.

DPC Kamara said he, Detective Inspector Sheku Lukulay and Detective Sergeant Lapia J. visited the alleged crime scene at Sumaila Town, where photographs were taken. He further testified that Bangura later visited the CID Central Police Station, where statements were obtained from him and other witnesses.

The witness told the court that police subsequently received information that Mumunie Bah had died at the scene and that his body had been taken to the Connaught Hospital Mortuary.

He said both accused later reported themselves at New England Police Station and were escorted to the CID Central Police Station for further investigation.

According to DPC Kamara, three knives were handed over to police as exhibits and were subsequently transferred to the appropriate exhibit officer. He also testified that separate voluntary caution statements were obtained from both accused after they were cautioned and questioned in Krio.

The statements, he said, were recorded in English, read and explained to the accused in Krio, after which both allegedly acknowledged them as true and correct and affixed their right thumbprints.

The court also heard that Bangura submitted an endorsed medical report on July 6, while police requested a post-mortem examination from the Chief Medical Examiner the following day.

DPC Kamara testified that the post-mortem examination was conducted on July 15 by Chief Medical Examiner Dr Owiss Simeon Koroma and his team. Photographs, the post-mortem report and cause-of-death certificate were subsequently tendered in court.

He further said police later requested forensic examination of the three knives and forwarded the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice. The advice was received on August 10.

Following the advice, the two accused were separately charged on August 11 with the five offences before the court.

During cross-examination, DPC Kamara acknowledged that one of the accused sustained an injury during the alleged confrontation. He said the injury was photographed but maintained that he did not see a cutlass at the scene.

The witness denied suggestions that he advised either accused to admit the allegations to avoid further suffering. He also told the court that both accused were informed about the post-mortem examination.

Following the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah ordered that Alhassan and Alusine Fofanah be remanded in custody.

The matter was adjourned to September 9, 2026, for continuation of the hearing, with a subpoena expected to be served on prosecution witness Muvlai Bangura.

The allegations against the accused have not been proven, and they remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until determined otherwise by the court.