By Elizabeth Kamara
In a court session presided over by Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown, Alpha Bash Osman Kamara found himself arraigned on a charge of murder.
The accused is standing trial on one count of murder, contrary to section 1 of the Offense Against the Persons Act 1861, as repealed and replaced by section (1)(a) to the schedule of the Abolition of Death Penalty Act 6 of 2022.
As per the particulars of the offense, it is alleged that Alpha Bash Osman Kamara, on Monday, January 1st, 2023, at New London, Kossoh Town, Freetown, murdered Issa Kanu.
Police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) I.S. Mansaray presented the first witness, Gebriel Sabondo, a businessman.
Sabondo recounted an incident on the stated date and location when the accused and the deceased were engaged in a quarrel.
During the altercation, Sabondo testified that Kamara pushed Kanu, causing him to fall to the ground.
He said subsequently, Kamara brandished a gun, pointing it at Kanu while making threatening remarks. The deceased challenged Kamara, stating that he should go ahead and kill him, asserting that Kamara had nothing to do with him.
According to Sabondo, Kamara shot Kanu in the right part of his foot, causing him to bleed. As Kanu attempted to flee, Kamara shot him a second time in the back.
The accused continued to pursue Kanu, shooting him in the chest. Sabondo, along with three others, intervened, taking Kanu to his house before transporting him to the hospital.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura denied bail and adjourned the matter to February 27, 2024. The accused, Alpha Bash Osman Kamara, now awaits further legal proceedings behind bars.
