Evidence Presented in Police Officer’s Murder Case
Deborah Sorie The prosecution has presented key evidence into the alleged murder of police officer Sergeant Fasineh Bangura in Karene District.
During a preliminary hearing at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown., Police Sergeant Issa Kamara presented key evidence including five empty bullet shells, two shrapnel pieces, a fired canister, an NP pistol, and two magazines, each containing fourteen live rounds.
47-year-old police officer, Abu Bakarr Yillah, attached to the Operations Division at Kambia Police Division is accused to have fatally shot Fasineh Bangura, an incident which allegedly occurred in Yana Village, Tambakha Yombagie Chiefdom, Karene District, on 13th July 2022.
The prosecution alleges that Yillah, along with other officers, forcibly entered Bangura’s home, leading to his death. The charge, brought under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, accuses Yillah of murder.
Testifying before Magistrate Santigie Bangura, Sergeant Kamara, who is assigned to the Exhibit Office of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), outlined his responsibilities, which include the secure management of all evidence related to active investigations.
On November 22, 2023, Sergeant Kamara received several items from his colleague, Sergeant Konneh. Among the evidence presented were Kamara noted that he registered these items under serial number 129/2024.
Following his testimony, he formally tendered these exhibits into court records. During cross-examination, defense counsel Sahid Sesay questioned the witness about the date the items were handed over, to which Kamara confirmed it was November 22, 2023. When asked about the magazine’s capacity, Kamara stated he could not provide that information but reiterated that it contained fourteen bullets when received.
After the cross-examination, the accused was remanded, and the case has been adjourned to October 4, 2024.
Bring back the death penalty.