Six men accused of the murder of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu and a series of armed robberies were remanded in custody following their first appearance at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

The accused—Martin Sellu, Gbassay Swarray, Foday Sallu, John Bangalie (alias Boika), Joseph Gilamaja Kamara (alias Shine), and Foday Alhassan Sesay—face a five-count charge sheet including murder, armed robbery, conspiracy, and receiving stolen property. The matter was presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah.

The charges detail that between August 1 and 29, 2025, the men, along with unknown accomplices, conspired to commit aggravated robbery. The prosecution alleges that on August 30, they armed themselves with a locally made single-barrel gun, robbed Reverend Father Amadu at his church house in Buma III, Kenema District, and killed him. The items stolen included a Lenovo laptop valued at $350 and Le 5,000 in cash.

During the hearing, Prosecution Witness Inspector B. Foday of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) provided the court with a narrative of the crime. He testified that the incident was first reported by Reverend Father Michael Thomas Lamboi.

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Inspector Foday stated that Reverend Father Amadu was discovered motionless in his bathroom. Police secured the scene, took photographs, and transported the body to the Kenema Government Hospital for an autopsy. The subsequent investigation led to the arrests of the six accused.

The court appearance marks a significant development in a case that has drawn public attention. The Sierra Leone Police had previously confirmed the arrest of the six suspects in early September, linking them not only to the priest’s murder but also to an armed robbery in Bo that left National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) South Regional Manager, Mr. John Lamina, seriously injured.

At the time of their arrest, police described the group as including ex-convicts and individuals previously linked to other serious crimes. One suspect, Foday Alhassan Sesay, was identified as a receiver found in possession of an item stolen from Mr. Lamina.

Magistrate Jah adjourned the case to September 29, 2025, for further proceedings. The men will remain in custody until their next court date.