By: Audrey Raymonda John
Mother Kashopeh Smith and daughter Remi Smith were on Tuesday 26th November, 2024 sent again at the Female Correctional center by magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 for alledgely killed Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.
In his evidence, Inspector Foday Borbor attached at the homicide unit at the Criminal Investigation Department Cid Headquarters Pademba Road Freetown said he recognized both accused in the dock.
Inspector Borbor recaled on Monday 2nd October, 2024, adding that on the said day he was on duty when he received a report from Hastings police station that the corps of superintendent Anorld Coker has been found along Amor street, Hastings in Freetown.
He said based on an intelligence, himself and other detective officers including the scene of crime officer left the station for Hastings to visit the crime scenes.
The witness said at the crime scenes he met the deceased lying along Amor street closer to the dustbin with injuries on his two big toes, adding that one old brown damage belt and old blue pair of slippers were found lying beside the deceased.
Inspector Foday Borbor said at the scene of crime, officer took photos of the corpse and the brown belt including slippers taken as exhibits and handed over to the exhibit clerk for safe keeping.
He furthered that the deceased was conveyor to the Connaught mortuary the same day for postmortem examination.
The witness added that on 4th September 2024, the government pathology Doctor Simeon Owizz Koroma conducted post-mortem examination on the corpse and at the conclusion, he issued the original courses of death certificate to the family for proper burial and photocopy was given to him which were in his custody.
He tendered the course of death certificate and was marked as exhibit A.
Inspector Foday Borbor furthered that on the 26th, 27th 30th September & 4th October 2024 sergeant 8826 Konneh and himself obtained voluntary caution statement from both accused separately by observing the judges’ rules.
The interview caution statements of both accused were tendered before the court to form part of the court records.
He said on 4th October 2024, he and team of officers revisit the crime scenes where they retrieved one “Baja” bike with registration number AJK 079 and it was brought to the office and treated as exhibit.
The witness further that on the 23rd October, 2024, he charged the first accused with the offense of murder and perverting the course of Justice while the second accused was charged with the offense of perverting the course of Justice and misprision of felony. The charge statements were also tender before the court.
During cross examination by defense counsel Claudius Campbell Esq asked the witness to confirm that a motorcycle was retrieved at Hastings two days after they visited the scene of crime.
He also confirmed before the court meeting Vidal Coker who happened to be relative of the deceased and he obtained statement from him.
The witness further that Vidal Coker in their investigation did not tell him the deceased went to an occasion where drinks and food were served but told him that the first accused was the girlfriend to the deceased.
After the cross examination, prosecutor Bull sought for an adjournment to bring another witness to testify before the court.
Both accused were remanded and the matter comes up on the 3rd December, 2024 for continuation.
It was alleged by police that the first accused Kashopeh Smith on Monday 2nd September 2024, at Hastings, Freetown, murdered superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.
Police further alledged that Kashopeh Smith on the same date and place well knowing the circumstances leading to the murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker thereafter fabricated evidence with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Police further alleged that the second accused Remi Smith between 1st and 2nd September 2024 at the same address knowing well that her mother Kashopeh Smith has committed an offence of murder unlawfully concealed the commission of the said felony and also fabricated evidence with intent to pervert the course of justice.