A 47-year-old police officer, Abu Bakarr Yillah, from the Operations Division at Kambia Police Division, has been remanded in custody on murder charges. Yillah appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Thursday, 26th August 2024, in connection with the fatal shooting of Fasineh Bangura in Yana Village, Tambakha Yombagie Chiefdom, Karene District, on 13th July 2022.
Prosecutors allege that Yillah, alongside other officers, forcibly entered Bangura’s home, resulting in his death. The charge, brought under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 and amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, accuses Yillah of murder. However, he has yet to enter a plea. Two key witnesses, Mohamed Lamin Kamara and Foday Kamara, testified, with Foday Kamara stating that the officers broke down the door and forcibly removed Bangura before Yillah allegedly fired the fatal shot. Kadiatu Kamara, another witness, corroborated this testimony, further implicating Yillah in the shooting.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail and ordered Yillah’s remand at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown, with the case adjourned to 10th September 2024.
