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Justice Andrew S.C. Johnson has denied bail to 18-year-old Rugiatu Bangura, who is accused of allegedly murdering her 9-year-old younger sister, Mariama Bangura, after making her first appearance before the court on Friday, October 31, 2025.
Rugiatu Bangura was arraigned on one count of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1816, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022, Act No. 6 of 2022.
According to the indictment, the alleged incident took place on September 21, 2024, in the Western Area of Freetown, where Rugiatu allegedly murdered her younger sister, Mariama.
When the charge was read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
State Prosecutor, Idrissa A. Kamara, informed the court that this was a new case, and as such, he had just received the file. He requested a short date to call witnesses and make progress in the case.
When asked by the judge about her relationship with the deceased, Rugiatu revealed that Mariama was her younger sister, born to the same parents.
Defence Counsel R.D. Taylor requested that the prosecutor provide him with all necessary documents.
He also applied for bail on behalf of the defendant, arguing that while the offence is serious, bail is still at the court’s discretion.
Citing Section 23(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991, he reminded the court that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty or until they plead guilty. He further stated that Rugiatu is not a flight risk, as she has a fixed address. He also noted that she is the mother of a 1-year-old child and the primary caregiver for her mother, who is battling health issues.
Defence Counsel R.D. Taylor emphasised that Rugiatu was only 17 years old at the time of the alleged crime and had given birth less than two months before her arrest. He added that the defendant is a lactating mother who has not been granted bail since her arrest. His application was made pursuant to Section 76(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) 202 and the Bail Regulations 2018, specifically Rules 2 and 7, Sub-rule 1, Paragraphs A and F.
In response, Justice Johnson acknowledged that while the offence is bailable, granting bail at this stage would not be ideal, particularly for the defendant’s safety. For these reasons, the bail application was denied, and the matter was adjourned to November 7, 2025.
