Magistrate Harold Kamara has committed John Kanu to stand trial before the High Court on a charge of killing an animal with intent to steal, contrary to Section 4 of the Larceny Act of 1916.

The ruling was delivered on 5 May 2026 following committal proceedings into allegations that the accused unlawfully killed a pregnant she-goat belonging to Osman Gibril Kanu.

According to the particulars of offence, the incident allegedly occurred on Tuesday 3 March 2026 at Maserkoh Village, Masemira Chiefdom, within the Port Loko Judicial District in the North West Region. Prosecutors alleged that the defendant killed the goat, valued at Le3,000, with the intention of stealing the carcass.

No plea was taken from the accused at the arraignment stage because of the indictable nature of the offence, and the matter proceeded by way of committal hearing under the Criminal Procedure Act.

During the hearing, the prosecution tendered witness statements, the defendant’s voluntary caution statement, a charge statement, and photographs of the dead animal.

Testifying as the first prosecution witness, Osman Gibril Kanu told the court that at about 1:26 a.m. he was awakened by Santigie Kargbo, who informed him that the accused had been caught with a goat.

He said that when he came outside, he allegedly found the defendant with a bowl containing a dead brown pregnant goat, which he identified as his property.

Police witness Baimba Tarawallie stated that the accused and the dead goat were later taken by local stakeholders and chiefs to the Masemira Police Post, where photographs were taken before the matter was transferred for further investigation.

Santigie Kargbo, who testified as the third prosecution witness, said he was seated on his veranda when he heard a goat crying. He said he armed himself with a cutlass and a light before rushing to the scene, where he allegedly found the defendant struggling with the animal.

He told the court that he apprehended the accused and raised an alarm, prompting residents and the owner of the goat to arrive.

In his voluntary caution statement, the defendant denied the allegation and claimed he had only gone to collect money from his uncle and had no involvement in killing or stealing any goat.

The court noted that no cross-examination questions were put to prosecution witnesses during the proceedings.

In his ruling, Magistrate Kamara stated that the purpose of committal proceedings is not to determine guilt, but to decide whether enough evidence exists for the matter to proceed to trial before the High Court.

After reviewing the witness evidence, recovery of the dead goat, police testimony, and photographic exhibits, the magistrate held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case.

He accordingly ordered that John Kanu be committed to the High Court for trial and remain in custody unless granted bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.