Twenty-eight year old Adekalie Conteh a businessman made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on three count charges to wit conspiracy to murder contrary to section 4 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861, murder contrary to section one of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 as repealed and replaced by section 1(a) to the Schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 act No.6 of 2022 and malicious damage contrary to section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.

According to the particulars of offence, on Sunday 16th February, 2025 at Tokeh Grassfield at Main Peninsular Road in the western area of Freetown, conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit murder, count two stated that on the same date and place, the accused person murdered Andrew Mansaray.

In count three on the same date and place the accused person maliciously damaged one Bluetooth musical set valued at three thousand leones property of Francis Lebbie.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea taken.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led in Prosecution witness number two DPC 17861 Issa Kargbo attached to the Criminal Investigations Department, Lumley Police Station he recognized the accused person and the complainant in the matter he recall on the 19th February, 2025 he was on duty at his office when the case and enquiry file and the accused person was assigned to him for investigation and that he obtained statements from the complainant and witnesses.

On 21st February, 2025 himself and the Crime Scene Officer, DPC 13164 Turay S. and selective of the deceased relatives visited the crime scene at Tokeh village and they discovered blood stain and the Crime Scene Officer took photographs therein on the same date himself together with Sergeant 84804 Bah M. obtained further voluntary cautioned statement from the accused in Krio language which was recorded in English language at the conclusion of the statement it was read over and explained to the accused person which he admitted it to be true and correct by afflicting his right hand thumbprint witness by the said investigator and he signed as the recorder the statement was produced and tendered in court to form part of the court records.

On 24th February 2025 a request was made to the chief medical examiner for a postmortem examination to be done on the remains of the deceased.

On 26th February 2025 an autopsy examination was done and the deceased and the cause of death certificate was handed to him both results was produced and tendered in the court to form part of the court records.

On 27th February 2025 the accused was charged with the offence he is standing trial by using the same procedure used in the voluntary caution statement he also received the advice from the DPP the charge statement and the DPP advice was tendered in court to form part of the court records.

The witness was cross examined by M.S Kargbo

Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown and matter adjourned to the 24th April 2025.