The highest court of the land Supreme Court presided over by Chief Justice Komba Kamanda on Friday 9 May, 2025 delivered a unanimous ruling in the high-profile manslaughter case between the state and former Sky Bank Manager, Ikubolaji Nicol for a fresh start of the matter.

During proceedings, the court has directed the High Court to urgently resume proceedings in the case under a newly appointed judge.

Ikubolaji Nicol, is facing a charge of manslaughter contrary to law.

The indictment states that Nicole sometimes in 2022 unlawfully killed Sinnah Kai Kargbo.

The case, which has lingered through legal delays, reached the Supreme Court after Bola through his legal team led by lawyer Roland R.V. Wright filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking to bar the current High Court from continuing with the proceedings. The application called for a prohibition against the sitting judge Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens from presiding over the case.

However, in a decisive one- day hearing, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, sitting with Justice A.M. Bangura and Court of Appeal Judges, ruled that the High Court must continue with the case-but under a new judge who will now handle all associated matters.

Delivering the ruling, Chief Justice Kamanda emphasized the importance of moving the trial forward without further delay, effectively ending the procedural wrangling at the Supreme Court level.

The state was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Osman Kanu, and his legal team, while the defense was spearheaded by Roland Wright & Associates.

Following the Supreme Court’s directive, Ikubolaji Nicol has been remanded at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre as he awaits his appearance before the newly designated High Court judge.