By: Audrey Raymonda John
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road Court No. 1 has on Friday committed a murder matter involving Suliaman Conteh, 58, to Hight Court for trial.
Suliaman Conteh appeared before the court on a count of murder contrary to law.
It was alleged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) the accused, on 14th July 2023 at No .6A Savage Street in Wellington, Freetown murdered Isha Saidu Hughes.
Magistrate Kekura said the charges were read to the accused, but no plea was taken because it was preliminary investigations.
He said the police prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP ), Mohamed B. Conteh led five witnesses including formal witnesses.
He added that among the five witnesses led, witnesses including formal witnesses.
In his ruling , Magistrate Kekura said PW 2, told the court that the accused hit the deceased with a hammer, adding that when she rushed to the bathroom, the accused chased her there and stabbed her to death.
He said his responsibilities as the bench is to look into the matter if the prosecution don’t produced any sufficient evidence, he would discharged the accused pursuant to 94 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
He said if the prosecution produced enough evidence against the accused, he would therefore commit the matter to the High Court for trial.
The magistrate said the accused was unrepresented and that of the five prosecution’s witnesses, he only cross examined the fifth witness, Alimamy Kamara.
Mr Kekura said looking at the evidence adduced including the accused’s statement he made to the police and confessed that he used hammer and knife to stab the deceased to death.
Magistrate said, based on the evidence including hammer and knife have convinced him that the prosecution had sufficient evidence against the accused.
The matter was committed to High Court for trial.
The accused pleaded with the family members for forgiveness as he had nothing absolutely to say because he is guilty.
When he was asked if he is ready to give evidence in the High Court regarding what transpired between him the deceased, he responded in the affirmative.
The accused admitted that the only witness he had is her sister, who testified on his behalf.
Magistrate Kekura committed the matter to High Court for trial without granting the accused bail.