By: Audrey John
24yrs old Mai Dumbuya a business woman, 21yrs old Tamba Lebbie a student, 25yrs old Alfred Kargbo a Footballer, 34yrs old Ishmael Samura an Artist and 31yrs old Peter Kalokoh a Masoner made their first appearance before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on two count charges to wit Conspiracy to commit murder contrary to section 4 of the offences against the person Act 1861 and Murder contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence on Sunday 5th May 2022 at big water, main peninsular Road the western area in Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown and murdered Memunatu Bangura on count two at the same place and date the accused persons murdered Memunatu Bangura.
The charges were read and explained to the accused persons and no plea was taken.
Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S Mansaray led the second Prosecution witness (PW2) Foday Momoh Dumbuya a business man. PW2 said he recognized the first and second accused persons as his neighbour, and know the Forth accused person as the fiancee of the first accused person and other two accused persons as the boys of the first accused person.
PW 2 said he recalled on the 8th May 2022 around 5am the witness said he was at home waiting for prayers when he had a man voice shouting loudly that Mr Foday come out they’ve killed my wife.
The witness said the shouting continue and he came out to the scene saw the husband of the deceased and told him go inside the house his wife had been killed. The witness said he entered the house and saw the deceased lying down and took out his phone and called the Tokeh police station.
PW2 said within a short time he saw the police officers arrived and the police told him that the first accused person and the third accused person are in their custody. The witness revealed that there was quarrel between the 1st accused person and the deceased the witness said the police took the deceased to the Mortuary home for postmortem and statement was obtained from him
Cross examination by defense counsel Emmanuel Teddy Koroma Esq; you recall you told the court that you know the accused persons; the witness said yes, how long have you known the first accused person; the witness said for over seven years, and you know her to be a business woman the witness said yes, on the 8th May 2022 you said the first accused person made carnival the witness said yes he didn’t enter the carnival but he saw a lot of people around there, this day in question when you had the voice shouting at what time the witness said it around quarter pass 5am, when you arrive at the scene the only person you met was Issa the husband of the deceased the witness said yes, you have another neighbors around the witness said the neighbors live far off.
Again, the defense Lawyer asked; on the previous date when the Matter was in court you we’re in court the witness said no, at the scene you told the court that you saw the deceased at the palour floor the witness said yes, it that time there were music playing at the carnival place the witness said no there was no music playing, the carnival was made front of the business place of the first accused person the witness said yes it was made to her business place, what is the relationship between yourself and Issa the witness said the deceased was his sister the witness said the distance between himself and the deceased was about two hundred and fifty feet, if someone shouted from that distance will you the witness said the place is quiet when person shout you will had the voice, you told the court that the 4th accused person is the finance of the first accused person the witness said yes.
Magistrate Ngegba refused bail and sent the accused persons to the male and female correctional center in Freetown and matter was adjourned to the 7th September 2022.
