Abdul Salam Abdul Razark, a student, has been remanded in custody by Principal Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Freetown Magistrate Court No.1. Razark, who is facing multiple charges including shooting with intent to kill, was denied bail for the second time on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

He is accused of attempting to murder Ibrahim Kangbai during an incident that occurred in Grafton, Freetown, on April 24, 2024.

The charges against Razark include shooting with intent to kill, causing grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent, assault, unlawful possession of small arms, and unlawful concealment of a firearm, all in violation of Sierra Leone’s laws.

The police allege that Razark shot at Kangbai with a shotgun, causing serious injuries, and was later found in possession of the weapon and four rounds of ammunition without a license.

Corporal Amos Belden Ngakui, a witness and member of the Armed Forces Band at Wilberforce Barracks, testified that on the day of the incident, he heard gunshots and rushed to the scene at the Grafton Junior Secondary School compound.

There, he found the victim, Ibrahim Kangbai, bleeding on the ground, while Razark was reportedly standing nearby, shouting for his money. Ngakui added that bystanders expressed shock, with some stating that Razark should not have fired at the victim.

Ngakui described how he, along with others, subdued Razark after he appeared to reach for something inside a bag he was carrying.

The bag was later retrieved by the school headmaster and handed to police officers, who found a pistol inside. Razark reportedly told Ngakui that he shot Kangbai because he believed the victim was trying to deceive him.

Kangbai was initially treated at a local hospital in Grafton before being transferred to Rokupa hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

Defense counsel A. Bangura renewed an application for bail, but Magistrate Kekura refused, citing the seriousness of the charges.

The case has been adjourned to October 17, 2024, for further hearing. Razark remains in custody at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.