By Richmond B. Tholley
A 26-year-old farmer, Ibrahim Abdalaha Conteh, was arraigned before His Worship Harold Kamara, the Presiding Magistrate of the Mile 91 Magistrate Court, on October 14, 2025. Conteh faces one count of murder in connection with the death of Pa Amadu Gbla, a farmer in Kumrabai Matuku village, Kholifa Mabang Chiefdom, in the Northern District of Tonkolili.
According to the Particulars of Offence, Conteh allegedly murdered Gbla on Saturday, September 13, 2025, on a farm at Kumrabai Matuku village. The incident left the community in shock after Gbla’s body was discovered without a head, days after he went missing.
During the court proceedings, the charge was read and explained to Conteh in Krio, the local language he best understands, as per Section 112(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024. Since it’s a preliminary investigation, Conteh did not enter a plea. The court informed both the prosecution and the accused that the committal hearing would not exceed 28 days from the first day of the hearing, as per Section 112(b)(i) of the same Act.
Magistrate Harold Kamara further directed the prosecution, led by Sub-Inspector Ibrahim Forkie Bangura, to serve Conteh with copies of all written statements from witnesses and any physical or material evidence the prosecution intends to present during the committal hearing, as per Section 112(b)(ii) of the Act.
As the prosecution prepares its witnesses and evidence, Magistrate Kamara remanded Conteh in custody at the Moyamba Correctional Centre, citing the seriousness of the allegation. The matter was adjourned to October 20, 2025, when the prosecution’s witness is expected to testify.
