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 Magistrate Court No. 2 on a charge of murder.

Moses Sarrah Sesay is accused of killing Zainab Jalloh between Saturday, 27 June and Sunday, 28 June 2026, at Tombo Village in the Western Rural Area.

According to the particulars of the offence, the accused allegedly murdered Zainab Jalloh contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).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 Moses Sarrah Sesay, no plea was taken, as the matter is undergoing preliminary committal proceedings to determine whether sufficient evidence exists for the case to proceed to trial before the High Court.

During the proceedings, Police Prosecutor Inspector Florence Wilson informed the court that the accused had been served with copies of the relevant case documents and inquiry files.

Inspector Florence Wilson further requested the issuance of subpoenas to compel prosecution witnesses who were absent from court to attend subsequent hearings and give evidence in the matter.

Moses Sarrah Sesay, who appeared without legal representation, confirmed to the court that he had received the documents served on him.

After considering the circumstances surrounding the charge, Magistrate John Manso Fornah declined to grant bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence.

The Magistrate subsequently ordered that Moses Sarrah Sesay be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown pending further proceedings.

The matter was adjourned to Friday, 30 October 2026, for continuation of the committal proceedings. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65774