By: Audrey Raymonda John
Richard Tim has been committed to the High Court in Freetown by Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 to stand trial on three charges of conspiracy to murder, murder and perverting the course of justice.
The defendant is facing three counts: conspiracy to murder, contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; murder, contrary to Section 1 of the same Act, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022); and perverting the course of justice, contrary to law.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Thursday, 30th July 2026, at Akim Spot, New Site No. 2, River Peninsula, in the Western Area of Freetown, the defendant allegedly conspired with other persons unknown to murder Junisa Konneh.
The second count further alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, the defendant murdered Junisa Konneh.
The third count alleged that the defendant, with intent to pervert the course of justice, concealed the circumstances surrounding Junisa Konneh’s death by allegedly diverting the crime scene from Akim Spot, New Site No. 2, River Peninsula, Freetown, to Mother Lam, York Village.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendant, no plea was taken, as the matter was before the court for committal proceedings.
The prosecution, led by Prosecutor 17649 Brima Kargbo, presented witnesses in support of the case. The matter was subsequently adjourned for ruling.
The defendant was not legally represented during the proceedings.
In his ruling, Magistrate Jah stated that, having considered the prosecution’s evidence and the statement made by the defendant, he was satisfied that sufficient evidence had been adduced to warrant committing the matter to the High Court for trial.
He accordingly committed the defendant to stand trial before the High Court in Freetown.
Following the ruling, Richard Tim was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown pending further proceedings.