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Magistrate Wilbri Hamida M. John of the Kenema Magistrate Court has ruled that Bockarie alias “Papa Lahai,” Vandy Songo, and Momoh James alias “Kanabie” will stand trial at the High Court on charges of murder.
The accused faced four counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, in violation of Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act of 2022.
According to court records, the alleged offenses took place on January 16, 2025, in Bandajuma Kpolihun village, Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun District, where the accused conspired with unknown individuals and reportedly murdered three-year-old Abu Sidie Janneh.
During preliminary hearings, four prosecution witnesses, including Detective Sergeant Michael Amadu from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Daru Police Station, testified under oath.
Sgt. Amadu recounted that on January 19, 2025, he was instructed to visit the crime scene after the missing child was found. He documented the scene, noting the location of the body and its condition, which included multiple wounds. The body was later transported to Kenema Government Hospital for a postmortem examination.
Sgt. Amadu also stated that during a search of Momoh James’s residence, a cutlass was discovered hidden under a mattress. Photographs of this evidence were taken and submitted to the investigating officer.
During cross-examination, questions arose regarding the collection of evidence, including whether fingerprints or blood samples were obtained from the scene. The detective confirmed that no such evidence was collected.
After reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, Magistrate John determined that there was sufficient basis for the case to proceed to the High Court. Consequently, all three accused were committed to stand trial for the alleged murder of Abu Sidie Janneh.
