By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Police Sergeant 8576 Issa Kamara presented an AK-47 rifle and four live rounds of ammunition as evidence in court on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The items were tendered before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Court No. 1 in the ongoing trial of Santigie Kamara, an Operational Support Division (OSD) officer accused of murdering his brother.
Santigie Kamara faces a charge of murder under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022). The alleged crime occurred on January 19, 2025, in Waterloo, Western Area, where Kamara is accused of killing Francis Amara Kanneh.
During his testimony, Sergeant Kamara, an exhibit clerk at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters on Pademba Road, detailed his role in registering and safeguarding evidence. He recalled receiving the exhibits on February 4, 2025, from Inspector Foday of the Homicide Syndicate at CID headquarters. The items included two blood-stained rubber chairs, an AK-47 rifle, two spent bullet casings, an empty magazine, four live rounds, and one used bullet.
Sergeant Kamara confirmed that the evidence was logged under serial number RCE 014/2025 and had been securely stored since its registration. The items were formally submitted to the court as part of the prosecution’s case.
Defense Counsel E. Eloba chose not to cross-examine the witness. The accused, Santigie Kamara, remains in custody, with the case adjourned to March 27, 2025, for further proceedings.