October 11, 2021
By: Francis F.M. Harding
Forth Prosecution Witness (PW4), Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma who is also the Chief Medical Officer of Sierra Leone and Pathologist has on the 7th October, 2021 testified before Justice Ivan Ansumana Sesay at the High Court Law Freetown involving accused persons Abibola Lionel Jones who allegedly murdered his brother Sholade Jones (deceased)and Gifty Jones charged for conspiracy.
According to police charged sheets, the accused persons on the 29th April, 2017 at Saint Thomas Street, Hastings in the Waterloo Rural District in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone conspired together and with other persons unknown to murder Sholade Jones a 26 years male.
Testifying in court, (PW4) said he performed both medical and hospital autopsy on the late Sholade Jones (now deceased) on the 26th March, 2020. PW4 said he recalled on the 9th May, 2017 as he received request and instruction from the chief medical officer and on the request of the chief coronal of Freetown to carry out postmortem within the Mortuary teaching hospital on the body of Sholade Jones.
Witness added that the deceased was identified in his presence by the following persons Mr. Ekudayor Williams, investigating officer D.P.C. 13926 Koroma O.W. attached at the Criminal Investigations Department Kissy Police Station Kissy Freetown and the scene of crime officer (SOCO) DPC 10620 Koroma M. also attached to the Criminal Investigations Department Kissy Police Station Kissy Freetown.
Dr. Koroma said at the completion of the autopsy he deduced his findings into report into medical certificate indicating the course of death and was dated by him and the original was given to the family and a copy was given to the investigating officer. Dr. Koroma the findings from the postmortem indicates that the deceased died a week later following a severe physical assault by a person unknown.
At the end of the testimony, State Counsel Jessie Tucker closes the case for the prosecution. State Counsel said both accused persons were charge on an indictment dated the 15th August, 2018 with two count charges. Count one conspiracy to commit murder and count two murder.
Representing the State is Lawyer Jessie Tucker while Lawyer Cecelia Tucker representing both accused persons. The matter has been adjourned to the 14th October, 2021.