June 16, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
The First Police Witness (PW1) Dectectative Constable 13822 Sorie K. who is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Tankoro Police Station has testified before Magistrate Sahr Keikura of Court No 1 in Freetown on the 14th June, 2021 at the Pademba Court Freetown in a matter involving accused persons Mohamed Johnson, Aiah Komba, Kalilu Fofanah, Victor Kellie and Ishmail Charles for allegedly killing Kia Osman Fengai.
The accused persons are charged with two counts of murder contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone.
According to police charged sheets, the accused persons were charged with two counts. It’s alleged in count one that the accused persons on the 20th April, 2021, at Koidu town, in the Gbessah Chiefdom in the Kono district conspired together and with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit murder. It’s alleged in count two that the accused persons on the 20th April, 2021, at Koidu town, in the Gbenseh Chiefdom in the Kono district in eastern region of Sierra Leone, unlawfully murdered Kia Osman Fengai.
Testifying in court, PW1 said he recognized the accused persons and the complainant. Witness said he was on duty on the 20th April, 2021 when the operation team headed by Tamba Kamado together with the complainant and the second accused person reported the stabbing of the deceased (Kia Osman Fengai) and the matter was recorded and allocated to him.
He said upon the information received by the complainant, he together with the complainant went to the Koidu Government Hospital to see the victim. He said upon arrival at the Government Hospital they were not able to see the victim as he was at the medical theater. He said we were there until he was pronounced dead by the medical superintendent. Witness said the remains of Kia Osman Fengai were taken to the mortuary. He said he later joined the Scene of Crime officer where he found a wooden bench, piece of board and slippers that was having a blood stain.
He said the Senior Crime Officer took a snap shot of the crime scene. He said based on the information the accused persons gave them on the 21st April, 2021 that the first accused person used a wooden bat to stab the deceased. He said the scene of crime officer 11322 Conteh revisited the scene while the first accused person identified the drainage and there was water at the drainage.
Detective Police constable 11731 Bah M.N said on the 29th April, 2021 he further interviewed the first accused person and they cautioned and questioned him in Krio which was recorded in English and then read over to him in Krio.
The accused accepted the statement to be true by appending their right finger thump print on the recorded statements.
The Lawyer for the State is Yusuf Issac Sesay while Lawyer Sahid Sesay is representing all accused persons. The Magistrate denied bail to the accused persons. The matter has been adjourned to the 16th June, 2021.