By: Alimatu Kargbo
Twenty-five-year-old Abass Kargbo, an auto mechanic, has made his first appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1, Freetown, on a single count charge of murder.
The charge is brought under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021.
According to the charge sheet, Kargbo allegedly murdered Abu Bakarr Fullah on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Timbo Lane, off Bah Drive, along the main Peninsula Highway in Freetown.
Detective Police Constable Thomas Brewa (17684), attached to the CID, testified that on November 17, 2025, while on duty, the complainant Thomas Marrah brought the accused to the police, alleging that Kargbo had killed his child. The matter was assigned to him for investigation, and statements were obtained from the complainant and his witnesses.
Brewa further told the court that detectives, including Detective Sergeant Musa J, visited the crime scene the same day, where they allegedly recovered a stick said to have been used in committing the offence. The accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, with his statement recorded in English and endorsed by his right thumbprint. The documents were tendered in court as Exhibits A1–A16.
On November 14, 2025, a request was made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for a post-mortem examination of the deceased. The request letter was tendered as Exhibit B. A post-mortem examination was later conducted on November 17, 2025, by Dr. Owizz.
The witness also stated that on December 5, 2025, police received legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge the accused. The legal advice was tendered as Exhibit D. On December 10, 2025, Kargbo was formally charged with murder, cautioned, and questioned again, with his statement tendered as Exhibits E1–E2.
During proceedings, the accused, who was unrepresented by counsel, was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness but asked no substantive questions.
Magistrate Jah ordered that Abass Kargbo be remanded in custody due to the seriousness of the offence and adjourned the matter to January 28, 2026, for further hearing
