By Audrey Raymonda John
In a recent development at the Kambia Magistrate Court, Government Pathologist Alijsious Kalawa underwent cross-examination regarding the postmortem evidence he presented on Monday, May 3, 2024. Dr. Kalawa tendered the postmortem evidence pertaining to the deaths of Kadiatu Bangura and Salamatu Jalloh in Bubuya and Kabailor villages, respectively, both in the Kambia District.
The accused in this case, Ballay Turay and three others, are facing charges of Conspiracy/Manslaughter.
During the proceedings, Dr. Kalawa detailed the process of exhuming the deceased in the presence of the prosecution team, where he conducted postmortem examinations to determine the cause of death. He highlighted disturbing findings, including the discovery of five pants with genitalia mutilation and blood around the deceased’s genital organ.
Dr. Kalawa clarified that he was contacted by the police to perform the postmortem examinations and emphasized the presence of senior crime officers, grave diggers, and his junior medical staff during the exhumation and examination process.
The pathologist identified hemorrhage as the cause of death and confirmed that the examinations were conducted at the grave site.
In the previous court session on May 27, 2024, the defense, led by Lawyer Bayraytay, requested all of Dr. Kalawa’s qualifications as a pathologist. In response, Dr. Kalawa submitted photocopies of his certificates and later tendered his original certificates, including his medical license, before the court on June 3, 2024.
Despite initial objections regarding misspellings in the medical report, raised by the State Counsel team, led by Police Officer Dumbuya and Associate Lawyer Tenneh Tonia Smart Esq, Magistrate George Samai expressed satisfaction with Dr. Kalawa’s qualifications.
Following several hours of cross-examination by both the defense and state counsels, Magistrate George Samai adjourned the proceedings to Monday, June 10, 2024, for final medical witness evidence submissions.
The case remains under close scrutiny as the court delves deeper into the postmortem evidence and testimonies presented, seeking justice for the victims and clarity in the legal proceedings.