By: Audrey Raymonda John
Two 46-year-old twin brothers, Alhassan Fofanah and Alusine Fofanah, have been remanded in custody after a prison officer testified that he recovered three blood-stained knives at the scene of a fight allegedly involving the accused and another person.
The matter came before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during the ongoing murder trial.
The accused are facing five counts: conspiracy to murder, murder, wounding with intent, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The prosecution alleged that on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at No. 69A, Back of PWD Quarters, Sumaila Town, Freetown, the accused, together with other persons unknown, conspired to murder Mumunie Bah.
They are further alleged to have wounded Alie Bangura with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and to have maliciously wounded and assaulted him, thereby causing actual bodily harm.
The murder charge is brought under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).
The accused also face a count of wounding with intent, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861; wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the same Act; and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the same Act.
No plea was taken when the charges were read and explained to the accused.
During cross-examination, Prosecution Witness Three (PW3), Morlai Bangura, a prison officer, told the court that he took possession of three knives at the scene on the day of the incident.
According to PW3, all three knives had blood stains on them. He also testified that he observed blood stains on both accused persons.
The witness further told the court that he disarmed the two accused and another person involved in the fight and took possession of the three knives.
PW3 said that when he reported the matter to the police, nobody had died at the scene.
His testimony formed part of the prosecution’s evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the death of Mumunie Bah.
Following the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah ordered that both accused be remanded in custody.
The court also ordered that a subpoena be served on the exhibit officer in connection with the exhibits in the matter.
The case was adjourned to September 21, 2026, for the prosecution to call its fourth witness, PW4.
The matter is being prosecuted by Police Constable 18235 Thoranka K.K.