By: Tamba Steven Komba
Mile 91 –The Masiaka Magistrate Court has committed one John Kanu of Masorkoh Village to the High Court for trial over allegations of killing a pregnant goat with intent to steal its carcass.
The ruling, delivered by Magistrate Harold Kamara, followed committal proceedings in Criminal Session 93/2026 between the Inspector-General of Police and the accused, who appeared unrepresented before the court.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly killed “one pregnant she-goat valued at Le 3,000 with intent to steal the carcass,” property belonging to Osman Gibril Kanu. The alleged incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Maserkoh Village, Masemira Chiefdom in the Port Loko Judicial District.
The court noted that “NO PLEA was taken from the defendant owing to the indictable nature of the offence charged,” and the matter subsequently proceeded by way of committal proceedings.
During the hearing, the prosecution, led by Sergeant 7716 Sesay A.M., tendered several exhibits, including witness statements, the defendant’s voluntary cautioned statement, charge statements, and photographs of the dead pregnant goat.
In his testimony before the court, prosecution witness Osman Gibril Kanu said he was awakened around 1:26 a.m. by another villager who informed him that the accused had been caught with a goat.
“Upon coming outside, he met the defendant with a bowl containing a dead brown pregnant goat which he identified as his property valued at Le 3,000,” the ruling stated.
Another prosecution witness, Santigie Kargbo, told the court that while sitting on his veranda, he heard the cry of a goat and decided to investigate.
The ruling quoted PW3 as stating that he “armed himself with a cutlass and light and rushed to the scene where he allegedly saw the defendant struggling to kill the goat.”
According to the testimony, Kargbo apprehended the accused and raised an alarm, attracting community members and the owner of the goat.
Police witness Baimba Tarawallie further testified that both the accused and the dead goat were later taken to the Masemira Police Post by local stakeholders and chiefs before the matter was transferred to the Masemira Police Station.
However, in his voluntary cautioned statement tendered before the court, the accused denied the allegation, claiming he “had merely gone to collect money from his uncle and did not kill and steal any goat.”
The court observed that no questions were put to prosecution witnesses during cross-examination.
In determining whether the matter should proceed to the High Court, Magistrate Kamara referenced the legal principle established in R.V Galbraith, stating that “a prima facie case exists where the prosecution evidence, taken at its highest, is such that a reasonable jury properly directed could convict.”
After reviewing the evidence, the Magistrate ruled that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for the matter to proceed to trial.
“I am satisfied that the prosecution has disclosed sufficient evidence establishing a prima facie case against the defendant for the offense charged,” Magistrate Kamara ruled.
Consequently, the court ordered that “the defendant, Johhn Kanu, be committed to stand trial before the High Court on the offense of killing Animal with intent contrary to section 4 of the Larceny Act 1916.”
The accused was further ordered to remain in custody pending his appearance before the High Court “unless otherwise admitted to bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.”
“The court so ruled,” the Magistrate concluded.
