By Fatima Kpaka
FREETOWN — Prominent businessman Adekalie Conteh was remanded in custody on Thursday, August 7, 2025, by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2, following his arraignment on charges of murder and malicious damage.
Conteh faces three counts, including the alleged murder of Andrew Mansaray during a violent altercation at Tokeh Village on 16 February 2025. He is also accused of maliciously damaging property belonging to local trader Francis Lebbie, including a Bluetooth music set valued at 3,000 New Leones.
In court, prosecution witness Francis Lebbie identified Conteh in the dock and recounted the events of the day. He testified that while at his business premises, Conteh arrived with a group of men aboard a tricycle. According to Lebbie, the group was armed with cutlasses, knives, and broken bottles, and began disrupting commercial activities in the area.
Lebbie stated that his shop was among several business centers vandalized during the chaos, with his Bluetooth speaker and Coleman cooler destroyed. Fearing for his safety, he fled the scene on a motorbike and reported the incident to both the police and the community headman, Mr. Momoh. He later received news that a man had been killed near his business location.
Lebbie’s police statement was tendered in court and marked as Exhibit F1-15.
Defense counsel J. Fofanah cross-examined the witness and requested an adjournment to continue his examination. Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, and ordered Conteh to be remanded at the Freetown Correctional Facility.
The case has been adjourned to August 14, 2025, for further cross-examination.