March 12, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
It was a dramatic scene that attracted bystanders that witnessed the battle involving two mates of the late Joseph Lamin Koroma. From the Kroo Bay Community in Freetown, Jamila and Winifred had gone to the Government Mortuary laying claims to the corpse of Koroma, 57, that was due for burial.
Each of the two women wanted to carry the remains of the late man to their respective homes. They blocked the ambulance from conveying the corpse. Many say it was an act of disgrace to the deceased.
Winifred said she was the legitimately married wife, accusing Jamila of being the girlfriend and husband snatcher. Koroma died at the home of Jamila and Winfred is of the view that her husband who left the house and went and stayed with Jamila might have been poisoned.
Late Koroma had ten children, three apiece with the two contending mates. Mid-West Hunting Society, which the late man belonged to, saved the day by signing for the corpse and conveying it to the home of Jamila where he was laid for awhile, then conveyed to St. Anthony Catholic church, before internment at the Acension Town cemetery in Freetown.
Family members say the recognized Winifred among the two mates. Both Jamila and Winifred opened book of condolence at their various residents.
A-Z reporter gathered that Winifred took the proceeds gathered to Jamila to arrange for befitting burial ceremony. The proceeds gathered from the condolences book was to the tune of twenty-two million Leones (22,000,000).
However, the late man was finally laid to rest by his two eldest sons at Ascension town cemetery.