By Janet A. Sesay
A 58-year-old chef, Moses Sarrah Sesay, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on a charge of murder.
Sesay is alleged to have murdered one Zainab Jalloh between Saturday, 27 June, and Sunday, 28 June 2026, at Tombo Village in the Western Rural Area.
The charge was brought under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).
When the charge was read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken because the matter is before the court for committal proceedings.
The prosecution was represented by Inspector Florence Wilson, who informed the court that copies of the case and inquiry files had been served on the accused. She also applied for a subpoena to be issued for the prosecution witnesses who were absent from court.
Sesay, who was not legally represented, confirmed that he had received copies of the case and inquiry files.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused bail, citing the seriousness of the offence.
The matter was adjourned to 30 October 2026 for further proceedings.