A 47-year-old police officer, Abu Bakarr Yillah, attached to the Operations Division at Kambia Police Division, has been remanded in custody on charges of murder.

Yillah appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Thursday, 26th August 2024, in connection with the fatal shooting of Fasineh Bangura, 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, but the officer has yet to enter a plea.

Two key witnesses, Mohamed Lamin Kamara and Foday Kamara, provided detailed testimonies. Foday Kamara described how the officers broke down the door of the deceased’s home and forcibly removed him, leading to his fatal shooting. He identified Yillah as the officer responsible for firing the fatal shot. Kadiatu Kamara, another witness, corroborated the account, further implicating Yillah in the incident.

Magistrate Bangura denied bail, ordering Yillah’s remand at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown, and adjourned the case to 10th September 2024.