November 10, 2021
By: Audrey John
Third prosecution witness, Ivan Johnson who is a businessman has on the 8th November, 2021 testified against Elizabeth Mande Judith Kanu, at the ongoing alleged murder trial of Sonia Mary Thomas, before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown.
This is the fifth time the accused, Elizabeth Mande Judith Kanu has appeared before court No 1 on one count of murder contrary to law.
According to the Police charge sheet, it was alleged that the accused on Monday 6th September 2021 murdered Sonia Mary Thomas at Fatima hostel in UNIMAK Campus Makeni.
Lead in evidence by State Counsel O.V Robin Mason, the witness Ivan Johnson said he knew the deceased who was her niece and also knew the accused in respect of the matter and recalled on the date in question.
He said on the date in question around 8pm, his wife’s younger sister (Marion Thomas) received a called from Kaindeh who informed her that the deceased had an attack. PW3 added that after receiving the information from Kaindeh, they tried to call the same number but it was switched off.
The witness said during the morning hours of 7th September 2021, Marion received several calls from unknown persons but it was only Kaindeh whom later called and told them Sonia Mary Thomas had passed away. The witness explained that after receiving the information, he immediately travelled to Makeni. He said when he arrived at Makeni; he went directly to the police station.
He stated that at the police station, Police informed him that one Reverend Father John had already reported the matter and the remains of the deceased had been transferred from Holy Spirit to government hospital.
He narrated that the remains was later taken to Connaught mortuary in Freetown for postmortem, and on the 8th September he witnessed the deceased postmortem examination conducted by Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma.
He said at the end of the postmortem a copy of the cause of death certificate and the remains of the deceased were handed over to them for burial and he later made statement at CID headquarter.
During cross examination by Lawyer J.M Jengo on behalf of the accused, the witness said he was not present at Makeni where the alleged incident took place.
The witness said all what he said was explained to him by the police.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura remanded the accused and adjourned the matter to Monday 15th November 2021.