By: Tommy Sidikie
The preliminary hearing into the alleged murder of police officer Sergeant Fasineh Bangura continued at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 yesterday.
Police Sergeant Issa Kamara, assigned to the Exhibit Office of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), presented crucial evidence linking 47-year-old police officer Abu Bakarr Yillah to the crime.
The evidence included five empty bullet shells, two shrapnel pieces, a fired canister, an NP pistol, and two magazines containing fourteen live rounds each.
Yillah, attached to the Operations Division at Kambia Police Division, is accused of fatally shooting Sergeant Bangura on July 13, 2022, in Yana Village, Tambakha Yombagie Chiefdom, Karene District.
According to the prosecution, Yillah and other officers forcibly entered Bangura’s home, resulting in his death. Yillah is charged with murder under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021.
Sergeant Kamara testified that he received the evidence from Sergeant Konneh on November 22, 2023, and registered it under serial number 129/2024.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Sahid Sesay questioned Kamara about the date and the magazine’s capacity. Kamara confirmed the date and stated he couldn’t provide information on the magazine’s capacity but reiterated it contained fourteen bullets when received.
The accused was remanded, and the case has been adjourned to October 4, 2024.
