By Haja Adama Kamara.
Kenny Fofanah and Sulaiman Jalloh have been arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 along Pademba Road in Freetown on allegation of wounding.
According to the Police, both accused persons, on Monday, 5th April 2021, at Dodo Village, Adonkia in Freetown, wounded Musa Kamara.
Both accused persons face one count of wounding contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Persons Act of 1861.
In his testimony to the Court, the victim and prosecution witness, Musa Kamara, a resident of Adonkia disclosed that he is a motor driver and Imam, and he recognized both accused persons whom he said are his neighbors at Adonkia.
He recalled on the 5th April 2021, when he made a visit to his piece of land somewhere in Adonkia at 11am. Kamara said he was on the said piece of land when he saw both accused persons and a man named Pa Tommy who pointed at him and said that is the Musa. “Before long, the first accused confronted me with a stone and hit me on my mouth and I felt pain. The second accused then came and both of them wrestled me to the ground and started beating me up,” he explained.
He continued that he sustained wounds in many parts of his body, adding that he felt pain all over his body. He disclosed that the first accused bit him on his back, but was later being rescued by some neighbors.
Kamara said he later reported the matter at the Adonkia Police Station where he was issued with a medical request form for examination at the Lumley Government Hospital.
The medical request form which had since been in the custody of the police was produced for identification. He concluded that he later made a statement at the police station.
In his cross-examination, Lawyer Elvis Kargbo, asked if the witness Musa had taken the accused persons to court, but the witness said he hadn’t.
Lawyer Kargbo also mentioned a woman whom he identified as the wife of one Professor Massaquoi whom he said is involved in the alleged piece of land for which he was being assaulted.
Lawyer Kargbo also disclosed that four police officers were also involved. When he was being asked if the police were present during the alleged assault, the victim responded that it was so. Lawyer Kargbo added that the police who were present told the victim that the land does not belong to him and that he should vacate, but the witness denied.
He confirmed to the court that the whole saga has to do with a land. The witness confirmed it was so. Lawyer Kargbo also confronted the witness that he was being arrested by the police on alleged assault on them, but the witness blatantly denied. Lawyer Kargbo put it to the witness that Kamara, when he was being asked to leave the place, he didn’t, rather, he tore the uniform of the police and wounded him.
Lawyer Kargbo alleged that Kamara’s thugs were assaulting the police officers which prompted the two accused persons to intervene and attempted to calm the situation down, but the victim also denied.
Lawyer Kargbo requested for the witness’s statement. He invoked Section 190 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 in order for him to test the veracity of the witness. Lawyer Kargbo peruse the witness statement and revealed to the court that the piece of land which is in conflict is the property of Professor Massaquoi, but the victim and witness said he has not trespassed Massaquoi’s property.
Lawyer Kargbo noted a controversy in the witness statement to the police and court, noting that all what the witness has said is not correct, adding that he was the one that was arrested and taken to the police station, but he denied.
The Magistrate disclosed that both the accused and complainant’s addresses are vague, for all of them reside at Dodo Village, Adonkia in Goderich.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura granted bail in the sum of Le20M plus one surety each. The sureties must be resident in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 28th May 2021
