By: Audrey Raymonda John
Adekalie Conteh, a 28-year-old businessman, was again arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 on Wednesday, facing three serious criminal charges, including murder.
Conteh is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, Murder contrary to Section 1 of the same Act (as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022), and Malicious Damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act of 1861.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown individuals on Saturday, February 16, 2025, at Token Grassfield, Main Peninsula Road, Freetown, to commit murder.
On Count Two, it is alleged that on the same date and at the same location, Conteh murdered one Andrew Mansaray.
Count Three further alleges that on that day, the accused maliciously damaged a Bluetooth musical set valued at Le 3,000, the property of Francis Lebbie.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, the lead prosecutor, presented the fifth prosecution witness, Francis Lebbie, a businessman who identified the accused and recalled the events of February 16, 2025.
Lebbie testified that he was at his place of business when he saw people gathering and was informed that a man wanted to fight him. He claimed he advised the individual to report the matter to the police, as fighting and abusive language were not allowed.
Later that day, Lebbie alleged, the accused arrived at the scene in a tricycle (kekeh) with several other individuals. They began disrupting business activities and damaging property. He stated that when he tried to caution them, the accused refused to listen and brandished a cutlass in front of his shop.
Lebbie further testified that the group accompanying the accused carried knives and broken bottles. He said the accused began damaging his shop’s guard, his Bluetooth speaker, and his white Coleman cooler.
Fearing for his safety, Lebbie left the scene on a motorbike and reported the matter to the nearest police station, but was told that police would respond the following morning. He also reported the incident to the local headman, Mr. Momoh, who later informed him that someone had been killed nearby.
Lebbie was subsequently detained, and he made a statement to the police, which was tendered in court as Exhibit F1–15.
Defence counsel J. Fofanah requested an adjournment for further cross-examination.
Given the serious nature of the charges, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to August 14, 2025, for further proceedings.