Freetown, 9th July, 2026 — The High Court of Sierra Leone has handed down heavy sentences to six men found guilty of the gruesome killing of Reverend Father Augustine Dauda Amadu in Kenema City, bringing closure to a case that shocked the nation.
Sitting at High Court No. 1 in Freetown, Court of Appeal Judge Honourable Justice Alhaji Mohamed Momoh‑Jah Stevens ordered five of the convicts — Martin Sallu, Gbessay Swaray, Foday Sallu, John Bangali, and Joseph Gikamadi Kamara — to serve 80 years each for their roles in the murder, robbery, and conspiracy charges. All five men hail from Bo City and were jointly tried on counts of conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, and murder.
The sixth defendant, Foday Alhasan Sesay, a 24‑year‑old businessman from Waterloo, received a 14‑year sentence after being convicted of receiving stolen property, specifically the laptop belonging to the slain priest.
The convicts had pleaded for mercy during sentencing, but Justice Stevens emphasized the importance of swift and impartial justice. He commended Chief Justice Komba Kamanda for ensuring that serious criminal matters no longer languish in the courts.
“Today, in less than a year, justice has been served dispassionately and without delay,” Justice Stevens remarked, praising both prosecution and defence counsel for their diligence.
The six men faced a five‑count indictment, ranging from conspiracy to commit robbery and murder to receiving stolen goods. Prosecutor Patrick L. Williams led the case, while defence counsel A. Morrison represented the accused under the Legal Aid Board.
At the conclusion of the trial, Justice Stevens found all six guilty and ordered that the sentences run consecutively, underscoring the gravity of the crime.
