By: Audrey Raymonda John
38-year-old Abdul Lahai, a Fire Force Officer, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 and was remanded at the Male Correctional Center for Manslaughter. The accused faced seven counts, including Manslaughter, Dangerous Driving, Careless and Irresponsible Driving, and Failing to Take Vehicle for Examination.
According to the police, on January 11, 2023, at 41b O’ Neil Street, back of Albert Academy, around 200 hours along Main Motor Road Brookfield, Freetown, Abdul Lahai, the driver of a Nissan Sentra Car with registration number ANC 746, drove the vehicle dangerously, leading to the unlawful killing of Hannah Sowa of No. 1 Hill Station. Ezekiel Maturi, Sulaiman Kamara, and Abubakar Joseph Kabia sustained injuries in the incident.
Magistrate Kekura had previously admonished the state prosecutor for not presenting any formal witnesses in court. In response, the prosecutor brought Police Constable 10628 Somanor Saidu Turty from the traffic investigation unit at Western Police Station, Adelaide Street, Freetown, as a formal witness. However, during the testimony, the prosecutor became confused in naming some individuals in the file. The Magistrate suggested a short adjournment for the prosecutor to better prepare.
Defense counsel Chernor Kamara applied for bail on behalf of Abdul Lahai, citing section 79 (2&3) of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965. Despite the application, Magistrate Kekura denied bail and remanded the accused person to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case was adjourned to January 26, 2024.
Top of Form