OSD Officer Remanded for Fratricide
By Fatima Sesay
Santigie Kamara, an Operational Support Division (OSD) officer, was on Friday, March 14, 2025, remanded in prison by Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 for allegedly shooting his elder brother to death. Kamara, making his first court appearance, was arraigned on a single charge of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022). According to police records, the accused allegedly murdered Francis Amara Kanneh on January 19, 2025, at 555 Lorry Park, Waterloo, Freetown. When the charge was read and explained to him by the court clerk, no plea was taken. The first prosecution witness, Maseray Nallah, a businesswoman and family friend of both the accused and the deceased, testified that on the day of the incident, she was selling in her shop while the deceased sat nearby. She stated that Kamara entered her shop and requested an energy drink. When she asked for payment, he responded that he would go home and return later. Kamara then left the shop, leaving his brother behind. A few minutes later, Kamara allegedly returned, now dressed in his OSD uniform. Upon entering the shop, he pointed at the deceased and stated that he had come specifically for him. According to Nallah, Kamara then pointed his gun at his brother and shot him three times, causing him to collapse and die instantly. Blood was seen oozing from the deceased’s body, prompting her to scream for help. She further testified that as people gathered, she lost some of her belongings in the ensuing commotion. Her sisters later took her to Bassa Town, as she was in a state of shock. Nallah later gave a statement at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters. She also confirmed that the deceased was buried at Kankalay Cemetery, Waterloo. During the proceedings, defense counsel W.C. Eloba cross-examined the witness.Magistrate Kekura remanded the accused in custody, adjourning the case to March 20, 2025, for further hearings.
