By: Audrey John
Police Inspector Mathew Jibao Karim Vanjohun has on Monday 26th September 2022 during the preliminary investigation into the alleged murder of Memunatu Bangura tender the Charge statement before magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No1.
The accused persons Mai Dumbuya, Tamba Lebbie, Alfred Kargbo, Ishmael Samura and Peter Kalokoh were arraigned in court on two counts charges ranging from conspiracy and murder contrary to law.
According to the police, it was alleged that the accused persons on Sunday 5th May 2022, at Big Water, Main Peninsula Road in Goderich Freetown conspired together with other persons to murder Memunatu Bangura.
The fifth prosecution witness on the Big water Goderich Murder, Inspector Matthews Gibao Karim Vangahun attached to the Homicide Syndicate Unit, CID HQ has said in cross examination that first he did show him marks of alleged torture but he don’t know whether it was done by the police.
Earlier, in continuation of his examination in chief, he said on the 21st of August June, they finally charged the first to the fourth accused persons with the offences of conspiracy to commit Murder and the fifth accused person was charged with Murder the charged statement was read over and explained to the accused persons and he signed as the recorder the said statement was produce and tendered in court
Cross examination by defense counsel Emmanuel Teddy Koroma Esq he raised objections on exhibit D one to twenty two on the grounds that the statement was not voluntary obtained.
He said his client was manhandled and currently treated at the cell were the statement was obtained.
In cross examination, the police witness confirmed that he obtained charge statement from first accused person and before doing that he go through the file that concern him.
The witness said during investigation, the first accused made confessional statement at Adonkia police station.
The witness said before he charge first accused she denied the allegation and further explained that she was tortured at Adonkia police station. He said he was at the scene when the first accused made confessional statement on her own volition and that she showed him her body in respect of such cruel treatment, but could not say whether the marks he saw were true.
In another question put to him, the witness said the person who made the said report was one Issa Koroma, husband of the deceased.
The witness in cross examination said he went to the crime scene and spoke with the tribal head who he said did made statement.
The witness said he saw the death certificate but he is not the appropriate person to tell the cause of death.
At the end of cross examination, the matter was adjourned to Monday 3rd of October 2022.Judge and Surveyor