The alleged murder trial of 47-year-old male adult Ibrahim Samura, a journalist and former editor of New Age Newspaper commenced at the High Court in Freetown yesterday with twelve panel of jurors who have taken oath to serve as judges of fact in returning a verdict of guilty or not guilty against two accused persons; former Mayor Herbert George Williams and Abu Bakarr Daramy, all members of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
The accused persons, who were granted bail, are before Justice Augustine K. Musa jointly answering to two counts of indictment ranging from murder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.
In the particulars on the indictment, the State alleged that the accused persons on the 31st March 2018, at Lumley in Freetown, during the Presidential run-off election in Sierra Leone beat and caused grievous bodily harm on the deceased, Ibrahim Samura which subsequently led to his death on the 6th June 2018.
State Counsel, Umu Sumaray in her opening address to members of the jury stated that during the Presidential run- off election, the deceased was together with other colleague journalists performing their lawful duties when he was allegedly attacked and beaten up with a dog chain by some senior members of APC party.
The deceased was later accompanied by his journalist colleague, Thomas Dixon to the Lumley Police Station where a report was made against one Dankay Koroma, former President Koroma’s daughter, Sanusi Bruskie, Ibrahim Washingai Mansaray, former Deputy Minister of Trade and other supporters of APC party.
Detective Police Constable (DPC) 9268 Joseph Jay Collins attached to the major unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters told the court that he recognised the accused persons.
The first prosecution witness told the court that he recalled in October 2019 when he received a case of an enquiry file containing certain documents including medical certificate on the cause of death, endorsed police medical report, apology letter from APC party and other relevant documents pertaining to the matter.
The statements of the deceased Ibrahim Samura and witnesses were also indicated therein, together with voluntary caution statement obtained from both suspects who now stand as accused persons. On the 22nd October 2019, the witness said he charged the accused persons separately on two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, contrary to law. The exhibits were presented for identification by the prosecution witness. Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya, Melron C. Nicol led the defense of the accused persons. The matter was adjourned to the 1st September 2020 for further hearing.
