By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty years old Osman Abu Sankoh a Masoner made his first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba road court No.1 in Freetown on four count charges to wit wounding with intent to Murder, Causing grievous bodily harm with intent, Wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm
According to the particulars of offence on Tuesday 28th November 2023 at No.233 Bai Bureh Road, Wellington the western area in Freetown wounded Dr Abdulai Sankoh with intent to Murder him.
On count two the accused person on the above date and place caused grievous bodily harm to the said Dr Abdulai Sankoh with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.
On count three and four the accused person on the above date and place maliciously wounded and assaulted the said complainant in a manner thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Assistant Superintendent of police Ibrahim S Mansaray lead Prosecution witness number two Fuad Sankoh a Student said he recognized the complainant and the accused person in the dock as his Neighbour.
He recalled on the 28th November 2023 on the above date he came out from his room to open the gate for his brother, then the accused person entered the gate and he asked him to greet him.
The accused person told him that he is not going to greet anyone, upon that the accused person approached him to fight, one Memunatu Kamara separated them, by then the complainant came out of his house and went to the mother of the accused person to advise him that if his son entered his compound and fight anyone he will not take it lightly with him.
The witness said the complainant was explaining to the mother of the accused person by then he saw the accused person coming from the house with his hand on his back, the accused person stabbed the complainant on his left side of his armpit.
Blood started oozing from where the accused person stabbed the complainant; the witness said he took his brother to Saterlite hospital Rokupa Wellington.
After the treatment of his brother they went to Congo water police station Wellington where statement was obtained from the complainant, the witness said he made statement at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters Pademba Road Freetown.
Cross examination by defense M.Bangura Esq what is your relationship with the complainant, the witness said his elder brother, and you resides with him the witness said yes.
You’re under his care and control the witness said yes, your brother asked you to testify in this matter the witness said yes.
What about the accused person what is your relationship with him the witness said his neighbor, apart from your neighbor he is a family relative the witness said no, another people was at the scene the witness said yes.
You did not observe any other thing that occurred after the stabbing the witness said yes, I’m putting it to you that it was not the accused person that stabbed the complainant the witness said it was the accused person who stabbed the complainant.
Counsel representing the accused person renewed his previous Bail applications on behalf of the accused person.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional center in Freetown.
Matter is adjourned to the 18th January 2024 for further hearing.