By: Audrey Raymonda John
Three accused persons, including two minors, have been committed to stand trial at the High Court in Freetown over the alleged murder of Valentina Bisodun Catherine Kamanda.
The accused are 16-year-old Goodluck Richard Nicol, a pupil; 16-year-old Gerrald Tommy Tucker, also a pupil; and 19-year-old Bokarie Musa. They were committed by Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 following preliminary proceedings.
The defendants face three charges: conspiracy to commit murder, contrary to Section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; murder, contrary to Section 1 of the same Act as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022); and receiving stolen property, contrary to Section 33(1)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916.
According to the particulars of offence, the incident occurred on 8 February 2026 at No. 5 Kamanda Drive, Adonkia, Goderich. The prosecution alleges that the first and second defendants conspired with others unknown to commit murder and subsequently killed Valentina Bisodun Catherine Kamanda on the same date and location.
The third count alleges that the third defendant, Bokarie Musa, received stolen items belonging to the deceased. These include a grey Lenovo laptop, a grey Apple iPad, an off-white Apple iPhone, two black Samsung phones, and one copper-coloured Samsung phone.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken from the defendants.
The prosecution, led by Chief Superintendent of Police Tommy B. Zizer, informed the court that it had closed its case, and the matter was submitted for ruling.
In his judgment, Magistrate Jah stated that, having carefully reviewed the evidence presented by the prosecution, he was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established against all three defendants. He therefore committed them to stand trial at the High Court on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
The defendants were remanded in custody pending the hearing and determination of the matter at the High Court.