By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-six-year-old civil engineer, Fassineh Kamara, yesterday appeared again before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on one count of murder. He is charged with Murder contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022.
According to the charge sheet, on Friday, 24th October 2025, at No. 47 Jenner Wright Road, Up Gun, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly murdered one Abdulai Kamara.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken due to the nature of the offence.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim S. Mansaray led the first prosecution witness, Detective Police Constable (DPC) 14975 Musu A. Kamara. She testified that she recognized both the complainant and the accused. Recalling the events of the alleged offence date, she stated that she and a Scene of Crime Officer (SOCO) visited the crime scene.
DPC Kamara informed the court that the location had a secured garage with a gate and was surrounded by barbed wire. She noted that during her investigation, she discovered that the deceased did not reside at the premises. Despite a thorough search of the area, she found no signs of forced entry or damage and was therefore surprised at how the deceased gained access to the property.
The witness was shown the voluntary caution statement she obtained from the accused. In that statement, the accused allegedly explained that he and the deceased had engaged in a tussle and that the deceased sustained fatal injuries after falling from the rooftop. The accused further stated that thieves had been targeting their garage in recent days, prompting them to reinforce security. He also claimed that the deceased had been on the roof with two other individuals who escaped, and that the deceased declared he was “ready and prepared” to confront the accused.
During cross-examination, defence counsel asked the witness if she had heard of situations involving self-defence. She confirmed that she had and agreed that the accused mentioned in his statement that he had been involved in a tussle with the deceased.
The accused was represented by lawyer J. M. Jengo Esq.
Magistrate Jah denied bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 16th December 2025 for further proceedings.