It has been nearly a year since the devastating news of 32-year-old Samawa Shamie's brutal murder sent shockwaves through his family and the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom community in Port Loko District. Shamie, a promising young man with dreams that were cut short, was allegedly killed under harrowing circumstances, leaving his family grappling with the pain of his loss and a deep yearning for justice.
According to police investigations, the incident occurred on January 30, 2024, when Shamie was accused by Helen Kargbo Kawa of attempting to steal an EDSA electricity meter from her residence in Lungi. Reports indicate that Shamie’s body was later discovered on Hassan Street, bearing signs of severe torture: his limbs broken, nails driven into his body, and acid burns.
Seeking Justice Amid Tragedy
The Lungi Police Division charged two individuals in connection with Shamie's death: Morlai Sillah for murder and Helen Kargbo Kawa for incitement to commit murder. The case, prosecuted by Chief Inspector James Diawo, has since been transferred to the High Court in Port Loko, with Hon. Justice Abdul Sherriff set to preside.
During preliminary hearings at the Magistrate Court in Lungi, the prosecution presented three witnesses, including Detective Sergeant Albert Muctarr Thullah, who led the investigation and supervised the autopsy at Connaught Hospital. Another key witness, Sulaiman Sesay, testified that Kargbo Kawa instructed her men to assault Shamie and personally brought out acid to be used during the attack. Photographic evidence from the crime scenes, documented by Scene of Crime Officer Umaru Sulaiman Kargbo, has been admitted into evidence.
A Family Torn Apart
For Shamie's widow, Isata Wuya Bangura, the pain of her husband’s death remains raw. Left to raise their twins alone, she struggles to rebuild her life amid the shadow of this tragedy. “Samawa was a caring husband who loved his siblings deeply,” she recounts, her voice trembling. “Life has become unbearably difficult since his death.”
Shamie’s family shares her anguish. They are frustrated by the perceived freedom of the second accused, who, according to them, continues to roam freely and make disparaging remarks about the case. “Seeing someone accused of such a heinous crime walking around as if above the law is unbearable,” Isata laments.
Born on September 10, 1987, in Kambia, Shamie relocated with his family to Lungi during the civil war in 1996. He attended Bullom Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary School before pursuing a diploma in agriculture at Njala University. However, his academic aspirations were cut short by a nervous breakdown. His tragic death leaves a void in his community and among those who knew him as an ambitious and kind-hearted individual.
Optimism for Justice
Despite their grief, Shamie’s family and friends remain hopeful that the High Court proceedings will deliver justice. “We believe that the soul of our son will only rest in peace once justice is served, and the perpetrators are held accountable,” a family spokesperson said.
The community in Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom stands in solidarity with Shamie’s family and is awaiting the outcome of this case. As the trial progresses, it underscores the enduring pain of loss and the hope that justice can offer a semblance of closure.
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