By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Monfred Sesay of the Freetown High Court has on Wednesday 8th November, 2023 in an open court has withdrew himself as he was presiding in the pending murder matter involving the killing of Providence School Teacher.
The deceased was allegedly killed by his pupil, Mohamed Haroun Conteh.
Justice Sesay said he had discharged the empanel jurors who were to bring opinion reach on the said matter.
The learned judge disclosed that he cannot continue with the matter for a personal reason.
Mohamed Harun Conteh was arraigned before the court on a count charge of murder contrary to law.
The indictment stated that the accused, on Saturday 11th March 2023, at Victoria Street in Freetown, murdered Mr. Gillis Edward Ola Johnson.
During yesterday’s proceedings,
State prosecutor, A. Jalloh informed the court that he has three witnesses to lead including the government pathologist Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, disclosing that he will he will not proceed with the matter because he didn’t have proper conferences with the witnesses.
Counsel said he had communicated same to defense counsel.
Defense Counsel Emmanuel Teddy Koroma objected to prosecuting counsel’s adding that the offencse for which the accused is standing trial for is grave.
Lawyer Koroma said that the prosecuting counsel ought to have for the needful before coming to court.
Responding, Justice Sesay told that the prosecuting counsel was in conduct of his case.
Lawyer Teddy therefore made an application for bail on behalf of the accused.
At this juncture, Justice Monfred Sesay stated that he will not proceed with the matter due to personal reason and he therefore discharged the jurors that were empanel in court to seat on the matter.
He further said the matter should be assigned to another judge for hearing and order that the accused to be remanded in prison.
