By Elizabeth Kamara
A 35-year-old Operational Support Division (OSD) officer, Santigie Kamara, has appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, facing a charge of murder contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No.6 of 2022).
During the latest court session, the third prosecution witness, Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara, attached to the Exhibit Office at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown, testified.
He confirmed that his role involves registering and safeguarding all exhibits related to criminal investigations before presenting them in court.
He recalled that on February 4, 2025, while on duty, Inspector Foday B., attached to the Homicide Syndicate at CID Headquarters, handed over several exhibits, including, two old rubber chairs with bloodstains, one AK-47 rifle (licensed), two empty bullet shells, one empty magazine, four live rounds of ammunition and one used bullet.
Sergeant Kamara stated that these items were officially recorded in the court exhibit book under serial number RCE 014/2025 and had remained in police custody until they were produced and tendered in court as part of the proceedings.
According to the prosecution’s case, on January 19, 2025, at 555 Lorry Park in Waterloo, Western Rural District, the accused allegedly murdered his brother, Francis Amara Kanneh.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken. Magistrate Kekura denied bail and ordered that Kamara be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to March 27, 2025.
