By Audrey Raymonda John
In a gripping turn of events at the High Court in Freetown, the prosecution’s case against former Skye Bank Manager Ikubolaje Nicol unfolded with the testimony of Salifu Bangura, the first prosecution witness. Presiding over the trial was Justice Momoh Jah Steven, where the intricate details of the alleged manslaughter unfolded.
Led by State Prosecutor Aruna Jalloh, Salifu Bangura, a caretaker at the residence of the accused, recounted the events of October 16th, 2022, a fateful Sunday morning. Bangura, a familiar face in the accused’s household for over a decade, vividly recalled being roused from sleep by armed OSD Police security personnel, summoned by the accused.
Upon reaching Nicol’s apartment, Bangura encountered a scene of distress. He found the accused and others attending to Sinnah Kai Kargbo, now deceased, who lay trembling and unclothed on Nicol’s bed. Prompted by Nicol, Bangura hastily retrieved clothing from the accused’s wardrobe to cover Kargbo.
Together with the accused, Ibrahim, and Mustapha, Bangura assisted in conveying Kargbo to Dr. Shuma Hospital in Freetown. However, despite their efforts, tragedy struck as Kargbo passed away shortly after arrival. The accused then took charge, informing Bangura and others of the grim news and assigning tasks.
In a somber procession, Kargbo’s body was transported back to Nicol’s residence, where further developments unfolded. Nursing staff removed Kargbo’s remains from the vehicle, initiating a chain of events that led to CID Headquarters. Bangura found himself detained for over a month before being granted bail.
Under cross-examination by Defense Counsel Roland Wright, Bangura recounted Kargbo’s words of distress, indicating her discomfort during the ordeal.
The proceedings ended with State Counsel Aruna Jalloh requesting an adjournment to accommodate upcoming witnesses, promising to shed further light on the case on the adjourned date of April 26th, 2024.
The courtroom ambiance was charged with anticipation as the trial delved deeper into the circumstances surrounding Sinnah Kai Kargbo’s untimely demise, leaving observers eager for the next chapter in this legal saga.
