Magistrate Mark Ngegba of the Pademba Road Court No.1 on Monday, August 22, 2022 refused to admit Kasim Watffa to bail after he was arraigned for alleged murder of a military Staff Sergeant Mamoud Barrie.
The accused Kasim is being preliminary investigated on four counts of murder, wounding and assault.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused Kasim Watffa on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Davies Drive, Hill station in Freetown murdered Staff Sergeant 18172012 Mamoud Barrie and also maliciously wounded and assaulted Sergeant 18181414 Samuel Tucker in a manner thereby causing occasioning actual bodily harm.
Counsel defending the accused, Francis Gabbidon informed the Court about the non-compliance of the Correction Service to the order of the Bench on July 12, 2022 for the accused to be sent to the Psychiatric hospital for examination within 30 days to prove his state of mind.
Magistrate Ngegba therefore instructed that the Prosecution and the Deputy Assistant Registrar to follow up at the Psychiatric hospital and the Correctional Centre for the accused to be examined as against Monday, August 29, 2022.
The matter was however adjourned for further hearing.
In another development, a 31-year-old Gardner, Sallieu Conteh was also sent on remand for carrying offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
The accused on Thursday, August 11, 2022 at presidential Lodge, Hill Station was allegedly found carrying offensive weapon (cutlass and a knife) in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, loitering with intent to commit a felony; and disobeying curfew.
By Fatima Kpaka