By Haja Adama Kamara.
Inspector Mohammed Kargbo attached to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters on Pademba Road in Freetown on Wednesday 14 April 2021 testified before Magistrate Marke Ngegba of Court No.1 against Sahr Daramy, a Military officer. Police alleged that the accused murdered Abubakarr Conteh.
In his testimony, the witness recognized the accused and recall 7th January 2021. He said on that day, he was on duty at the office when a transfer case and enquiry file was received from the Adonkia Police Station, Goderich with serial number 2052/2021 for the offence of murder.
He said the file contains seven witness statements, abstract police report, endorsed police medical report of the deceased, autopsy report and others for continuation of investigation.
He furthered that on Friday 8 January 2021, a team of detectives headed by Inspector Mondeh, line Manager at the Homicide syndicate unit together with the accused visited the alleged crime scene at Borbor Village.
He said a house to house search was conducted and after the exercise, the team returned to the Criminal Investigations Department.
The witness continued that on 15th February 2021, he wrote a letter and sent it to the Provost Marshall at Cockerill requesting the release of the accused for him to face interview at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters.
He continued that on the following day, he obtained voluntary caution statement from the accused by observing the Judges rules.
Prior to that, the witness said that on 12 January 2021, an autopsy examination was conducted on the deceased at the Connaught Hospital Mortuary by Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, the Government Pathologist.
He said the cause of death certificate was handed over to them which had been in police custody. The autopsy report was tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
He ended his testimony that on the 30 March 2021, he charged the accused with the offence of murder.
The witness was cross-examined by defense counsel, C.I William.
The accused is stands trial on one count of murder contrary to law and the charge sheet states that the accused on Saturday, 19 December, 2020 at Goderich murdered Abubakarr Conteh.
The accused was remanded and the matter comes up on the 21st April 2021.
