By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 20-year-old motorbike rider, Emmanuel Tommy, has been remanded in custody after making his first appearance before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at the Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown on a charge of manslaughter (motor) contrary to law.
According to the charge, on Friday, 30th May 2025, at around 9:30 PM, along Hennessey Street, New England Ville, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused, while riding a TVS Star HLX motorbike with registration number AUV 346, unlawfully caused the death of Mohamed Bah.
No plea was taken from the accused when the charge was read and explained to him.
Inspector Aminata Korio, leading the prosecution, called the first witness, Fatmata Bah, a businesswoman and wife of the deceased.
Testifying in court, Mrs. Bah stated that she knew both the deceased, Mohamed Bah her husband and the accused. She recalled that on the night of the incident, her husband had returned from work and stopped by her shop at New England Ville. Shortly after he left, a boy named Amadu came and informed her that her husband had been hit by a motorbike.
Upon receiving the news, she immediately called her husband’s mobile phone. A woman answered and informed her that she had found the phone at the scene of the accident. Mrs. Bah rushed to meet the woman and collected the phone. When she returned to her shop, she encountered the accused, who admitted that he had hit her husband and had taken him to Starterlite Hospital on Kingham Road.
At the hospital, she found her husband lying on a bench with a broken leg. They were referred to Connaught Hospital, where he later slipped into a coma. After regaining consciousness, he complained of neck pain. He was admitted to the hospital, but two days later, he passed away. His body was transferred to the Connaught Mortuary and later released to the family for burial at *Circular Road Cemetery.
Mrs. Bah further testified that she was later invited to the *New England Ville Police Station, where she provided a statement.
The accused was not legally represented in court and did not cross-examine the witness.
Magistrate Samura denied bail and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 8th August 2025.