Key Witness Testifies in Murder Case Against Auto Mechanic at Pademba Road Court

The murder trial of 25-year-old auto mechanic Abass Kargbo took a significant step on Tuesday as a key prosecution witness testified before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1.

The witness, Detective Police Constable Thomas Brewa, gave detailed testimony regarding the investigation into the alleged murder of Abu Bakarr Fullah.

Detective Brewa told the court that the investigation commenced on November 17, 2025, after the complainant, Thomas Marrah, brought the accused to the police, alleging that Kargbo had murdered his child. Acting on the report, police visited the crime scene at Timbo Lane, off Bah Drive, along the main Peninsula Highway, where a stick believed to have been used in the assault was recovered.

The witness further explained that the accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, after which his statement was recorded in English and endorsed with his right thumbprint. The statement and related documents were tendered and admitted into evidence as Exhibits A1 to A16.

Detective Brewa also testified that a request for a post-mortem examination was submitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs on November 14, 2025, and the examination was conducted on November 17 by Dr. Owizz. The post-mortem report was subsequently tendered in court as part of the prosecution’s evidence.

Additionally, the witness stated that on December 5, 2025, police received legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge Kargbo with murder. The formal charge was laid on December 10, 2025, after which the accused was again cautioned and questioned, and his subsequent statements were admitted as Exhibits E1 and E2.

Throughout the proceedings, Kargbo, who was unrepresented by legal counsel, was given the opportunity to cross-examine the witness but did not ask any substantive questions.

At the conclusion of the testimony, Magistrate Jah ordered that the accused be remanded in custody due to the gravity of the offence and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, January 28, 2026, for further hearing.