By: Audrey Raymonda John
Six individuals have been charged in connection with the alleged murder of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu. The accused, including Martin Sellu, Gbassay Swarray, Foday Sallu, John Bangalie (alias Boika), Joseph Gilamaja Kamara (alias Shine), and Foday Alhassan Sesay, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah in Pademba Road Court No. 1 on five charges, including conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit murder, robbery with aggravation, murder, and receiving stolen goods, all in violation of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the particulars of the offense, between 1st and 29th August 2025 in Bo City, Southern Province, the first five defendants conspired with others (unknown) to commit robbery with aggravation.
The second count further states that the accused conspired to commit murder during the same period.
Count three alleges that on 30th August 2025 in Buma 111, Section Kenema, Eastern Province, the five defendants, armed with a locally-made single-barrel gun, robbed Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu of a grey Lenovo laptop, valued at three hundred and fifty United States dollars, and five thousand Leones in cash. During or immediately before the robbery, the defendants allegedly used personal violence against the Reverend Father.
Count four charges the defendants with the murder of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu, also on 30th August 2025, at Buma 111, Section Kenema.
Count five states that on 29th August 2025, in Waterloo, Western Area, the sixth defendant, Foday Alhassan Sesay, is accused of receiving the stolen Lenovo laptop, knowing it to have been taken unlawfully.
After the charges were read and explained to the defendants, they did not enter a plea, although the sixth defendant pleaded not guilty.
Chief Superintendent of Police Tommy B. Zizer Esq. led the prosecution. The first witness, Inspector B. Foday of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), recalled the report made on the murder and robbery by Reverend Father Michael Thomas Lamboi at the church house in Kenema.
Upon receiving the report, Inspector Foday and his team visited the crime scene, where Michael Musa Foday identified the body of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu lying motionless in his bathroom. The scene-of-crime officer, D/Sgt 9667 Bangura S.S., examined the body and took photographs, which were later developed and tendered as evidence in court. The body was subsequently conveyed to Kenema Government Hospital for autopsy.
Inspector Foday further testified that on 1st September 2025, defendant number one, Martin Sellu, was brought in for questioning. Sellu was cautioned in Krio and his statement was recorded in English. He admitted the statement to be true and signed it with his right-hand thumbprint. The statement was tendered in court as part of the evidence.
On 2nd September, the deceased’s body was taken to the 34 Military Hospital for autopsy, and the report was submitted to the court.
On 3rd September 2025, the Bo Regional Office informed Foday’s team that they had arrested a suspect who had been mentioned by Martin Sellu in his statement. The investigation team went to Bo, where they identified defendant number two. Statements were taken from defendants 3, 4, 5, and 6, which they accepted as true, confirmed by their right-hand thumbprints.
During cross-examination, the defendants’ legal teams questioned the investigating officers about the investigation process and evidence. One defendant, Joseph G. Kamara, denied involvement in the murder, suggesting the allegations were untrue. The sixth defendant, Foday Alhassan Sesay, asked whether a search had been conducted at his business premises. Inspector Foday confirmed that the search had been carried out, and some materials found were believed to have been stolen, although the sixth defendant claimed to be unaware of this.
Magistrate Jah refused bail for all six defendants and remanded them to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 29th September 2025 for further proceedings.