By: Audrey Raymonda John
A high-profile case that has drawn national attention and raised concerns about press freedom and justice is underway. Renowned journalist Joseph Mendel Lamin, popularly known as Manager Dust, along with co-accused Morlia Kamara (a bike rider) and Umaru Timbo (a driver), have been committed to stand trial at the High Court.
The trio faces two counts: conspiracy to commit murder and murder, under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021.
According to the prosecution, on 15th January 2025, the accused and others allegedly conspired and executed the murder of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia at the Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio Station in Kissi Town, Waterloo.
Delivering his ruling, Magistrate Briama Jah emphasized the seriousness of the charges and noted that a preliminary investigation was conducted to determine whether sufficient evidence existed to proceed to a full trial.
The prosecution presented three witnesses, all of whom were cross-examined. After the close of their case, defense counsel Musa Barateh Esq., representing the first accused, submitted a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to provide direct or circumstantial evidence and cited constitutional protections under the 1981 Constitution.
However, Magistrate Jah dismissed the no-case submission, stating,
“This matter is not yet a trial but a preliminary investigation. I find that the evidence presented is sufficient to put the accused persons on trial at the High Court.”
He added, “The prosecution has led enough evidence to commit all three accused, and as such, they are now to face full trial at the High Court.”