Soldier Committed to High Court for Murder of Superior Officer

Soldier Committed to High Court for Murder of Superior Officer

A soldier, Joseph Lamin Steven, has been formally committed to the High Court to face a single count of murder following a fatal altercation over a $100 dispute that resulted in the death of a senior officer.

Principal Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 transferred the matter to the High Court on Wednesday, 28th January 2026. Steven is charged under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 26 November 2026, at the Presidential Lodge within Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Port Loko Judicial District. Authorities allege that Steven unlawfully killed his superior, Moses Brima Kabba, during a heated disagreement concerning the monetary sum.

During the committal proceedings, the investigating officer, Inspector B. Foday, submitted Steven's cautionary and charged statements to the police, which were admitted as evidence. These statements reportedly detailed the circumstances leading to the deadly confrontation.

Police prosecutor CSP Tommy Zizer concluded the prosecution’s case, asserting that sufficient evidence had been presented to establish the charge. Magistrate Jah, after review, determined there were adequate grounds to commit Steven for a full trial in the High Court, where all evidence will be meticulously examined.

This case highlights the tragic potential for minor disagreements to escalate, prompting a significant judicial inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Officer Kabba’s death and raising broader questions about conflict resolution and discipline within the armed forces. The High Court is now tasked with rendering a verdict in this high-profile matter.