28-year-old Maya Sheik Kaikai, a geologist, made his initial appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kehkura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.

The charges brought against him include Conspiracy contrary to law and Murder under section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by section 1 (a) of the Abolition of Death Penalty Act 2022, Act 6 of 2022.

The prosecution alleges that on Saturday, August 26th, 2023, at Fallscape Garden, Goderich, Freetown, Kaikai conspired with unidentified individuals to commit the felony of Murder. The second charge specifies that on the same date and location, he committed the act by taking the life of Fatmata Kamara Koroma.

Upon the reading and explanation of the charges, Kaikai refrained from entering a plea. The prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray, informed the Bench that a key witness was unavailable and requested a brief adjournment. The accused, lacking legal representation, stood alone in the proceedings.

Magistrate Kehkura, after denying bail, ordered Kaikai’s remand to the male correctional center in Freetown. The court has adjourned the matter to the 16th of February, 2024, anticipating the presence of the necessary witness for the trial to proceed. As the legal process unfolds, the community awaits further developments in this tragic case.