By: Audrey Raymonda John
A dispute over $100 has reportedly escalated into a tragic murder, leading to soldier Joseph Lamin Steven being committed to the High Court for trial. The ruling was delivered on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, by Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1.
Steven faces a single count 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).
According to the indictment, the incident occurred on Wednesday, 26 November 2026, at Presidential Lodge, Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the Port Loko Judicial District of the Northern Province. Steven is accused of unlawfully killing his senior officer, Moses Brima Kabba, following a dispute over $100.
During proceedings, Inspector B. Foday, the investigating officer, presented Steven’s cautioned and charged statements, which reportedly detailed the circumstances of the alleged altercation.
Following the presentation of evidence, Police Prosecutor CSP Tommy Zizer formally closed the prosecution’s case, confirming that all necessary evidence had been submitted.
After reviewing the evidence, Magistrate Jah stated that the prosecution had established a prima facie case beyond reasonable doubt and committed Joseph Lamin Steven to the High Court for trial, where all exhibits will undergo detailed examination.