By: Ibrahim S. Bah

Ishmael Conteh, the accused, is set to appear before the High Court of Sierra Leone to face charges of murdering Ishmael Moiba on December 27 and 28, 2023, near Upper George Brooke Dwazark in Freetown.

The case was committed to the High Court after the prosecution presented witnesses who testified against Conteh, accused of murder. Conteh was initially brought before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown on a murder charge, which violates Section 1 of the Offenses Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of Death Penalty Act 6 of 2022.

During the preliminary investigation, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including an eyewitness who gave a detailed account of the events leading to Moiba's death.

In his ruling, Magistrate Sahr Kekura acknowledged that the prosecution had provided substantial evidence against Conteh, justifying the case's committal to the High Court.

Magistrate Kekura remitted the case to the High Court for trial and remanded Conteh into custody until the trial begins.

Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai served as the prosecutor in the case.