Kenema, Sierra Leone — The High Court in Kenema on 17 November 2025 opened formal proceedings against five men accused of kidnapping and murdering Mariama Kanneh in what has become one of the district’s most unsettling criminal cases this year.
Appearing before Justice Abdul Sheriff were Mohamed Swaray, Ibrahim Kamara (known as Shengbeh), Lamin Fofanah (alias Butter Cup), Brima Momoh, and Mustapha Kamara. State Counsel Andrew F. Kamara informed the court that the men allegedly conspired with others still at large to abduct and kill Mariama Kanneh on 30 July 2025 in Sembehun Village, Gaura Chiefdom, Kenema District.
The prosecution’s case progressed with testimony from two key witnesses. The first, Yatta Kamara (PW1), recounted that she was working on her farm broadcasting pepper seeds when she spotted the accused about ten meters away. She told the court she saw Mariama Kanneh being carried on the back of Ibrahim Kamara, prompting her to later alert Chief Alhaji and file statements at both Joru and Kenema Police Stations.
A second witness, Wuyata Kanneh (PW2), also testified, with two more witnesses expected to appear in the coming days. Justice Sheriff ordered that their attendance be secured for the next hearing.
The case has been adjourned for continuation, and all five defendants have been remanded in custody as investigations and court proceedings continue.
