By Mamajah Jalloh
A soldier, Joseph Lamin Steven, has been committed to the High Court for further trial following an alleged disagreement over $100 that reportedly resulted in the death of his senior officer.
The committal was ordered by Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Steven is facing a single count of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).
According to the indictment, the incident allegedly occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Presidential Lodge, Freetown International Airport, Lungi, in the Port Loko Judicial District of the Northern Province. The accused is alleged to have unlawfully killed his senior officer, Moses Brima Kabba, following a dispute over the sum of $100.
During the proceedings, the investigating officer, Inspector B. Foday, presented the cautioned and charged statements made by the accused to the police. These statements were admitted into evidence and reportedly outlined the circumstances surrounding the alleged altercation between the accused and the deceased.
Police prosecutor, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Tommy Zizer, subsequently closed the prosecution’s case, stating that the prosecution had led sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the accused.
In his ruling, Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah said he was satisfied that the prosecution had presented enough evidence linking the accused to the offence. He therefore committed Joseph Lamin Steven to the High Court for trial and forwarded all exhibits tendered by the prosecution for further examination.
