By Kemeseng Sanneh (Kexx)
A high court in Banjul has sentenced Augustine Bangura to death for the brutal murder of British national Shakina Chinedu, bringing a conclusion to the high-profile case.
Justice Ebrima Jaiteh handed down the death penalty on Monday after finding Bangura guilty of murdering Chinedu in her home in Sinchang Village, West Coast Region, on February 14, 2024. The judge also sentenced Bangura to 15 years in prison for theft, after convicting him of stealing several items belonging to the deceased.
According to the prosecution’s case, Bangura fatally struck Chinedu on the back of her neck with a hammer, killing her instantly. The State said the accused then looted her property, making away with valuable items including a laptop, a tablet, mobile phones, a wristwatch, a camera, flash drives, and a sum of cash.
The trial began following the filing of a bill of indictment on March 22, 2024. State prosecutors—Counsel M. Singhateh, F. Drammeh, and M. Sarr—relied on 12 witnesses to build their case. Among them were police officers involved in the investigation, a local businessman who allegedly transacted with Bangura in relation to the stolen goods, and a phone technician who bought items later traced to the deceased.
The court admitted 21 exhibits into evidence, including graphic photographs of the crime scene, a video taken shortly after the murder, the alleged murder weapon (a hammer), a spade, and the stolen items found in Bangura’s possession. Phone records and call logs showed a trail of communication between the accused and Chinedu leading up to the night of the murder.
In his defense, Bangura, represented by Counsel F. T. Saho, denied any involvement in the killing. He also denied ever being in possession of the stolen items. His legal team cross-examined all state witnesses in an effort to poke holes in the prosecution’s narrative, but Justice Jaiteh ultimately found the defense’s arguments unconvincing.
“The prosecution has proven its case beyond reasonable doubt,” Justice Jaiteh declared, noting that the evidence was “overwhelming and consistent.” He described the murder as “premeditated, violent, and callous,” and said that the theft further compounded the gravity of the crime.
Shakina Chinedu, believed to be in her early 30s, was a British expatriate who had been living in The Gambia. Details about her work or mission in the country remain scant, but her death sent shockwaves through the community, prompting swift police action and widespread public condemnation.
Following his arrest, Bangura reportedly led investigators to some of the stolen property. Witnesses testified that he attempted to sell or pawn some of the items days after the murder. A spade believed to have been used in an attempted concealment of the crime was also recovered.
In addition to the sentences, the court has ordered that all items recovered be kept as state exhibits pending any appeals. Bangura is expected to file an appeal in the coming weeks, but as of now, the conviction and sentences stand.
The judgment has once again spotlighted The Gambia’s retention of the death penalty. Although the country has observed a de facto moratorium on execution, courts continue to issue death sentences in capital cases. The ruling comes amid renewed debate on capital punishment, with rights groups urging the government to formally abolish the practice.
As Justice Jaiteh concluded his ruling, he reminded the courtroom of the irreversible nature of violent crime: “One life was lost in the most horrific way. Today, the law has spoken.”
