By Haja Adama Kamara.
Detective Police Komba Sorie attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Kono on Monday 14th June 2021 testified against four accused persons who were charged in connection with an allegation of murder which took place in Kono district.
According to the police, Mohamed Johnson, aka After Birthday, Aiah Komba aka Akon, Kalilu Fofanah aka Kalipso, Victor Kellie and Ishmael Charles aka Diesel on Wednesday, 20th April at Koidu City, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit, murder.
Police also alleged that the accused person on the same date and place murdered Kai Osman Fengai.
The accused were face two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, contrary to law.
In his testimony, Detective Komba Sorie attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a resident of Kamadu New Site, Koidu City in Kono, on Monday 14th June 2021, testified against the four accused persons. He recognized all accused persons as well as the deceased, Kai Osman Fengai.
He recalled on Tuesday, 20th April 2021, he was on duty at CID in Kono, when the Operations team headed by ASP Tamba Kamanda, together with the complainant brought in the second and third accused persons and reported a case of wounding in respect of the deceased.
- I. Sesay appeared for the Inspector General of Police, while Lawyer Sahid Sesay appeared for the defense.
He added that the matter was assigned to him for further investigation. He said upon the information that the deceased was being taken to the Koidu Government Hospital, himself and the complaint went there to see the victim who is now deceased.
“Upon reaching the hospital, the victim was already at the theatre so we could not get access to him. Before long, he was pronounced dead by the medical personnel,” he disclosed.
The remains were taken to the Koidu Government Hospital mortuary. “At the scene of crime, I later received a wooden bench, piece of cloth, and a pair of slippers which had blood stain,” the witness revealed. He said the scene of crime officer took snap shots of the items and recorded them as evidence.
“Upon returning to the police station, statements were obtained from the complainant and witnesses. Before long, the first accused was arrested and brought to the station. The witness and one Sergeant 9482 Kamara G interviewed the first accused person in Krio and responses were recorded in English, but the interview was not concluded as the accused felt dizzy.
He added that the first accused had told them that he had thrown the knife he used to stab the deceased in a nearby place.
“A team of investigators visited the scene. At the scene, the first accused identified the the gutter. We conducted a search, but could not find the knife,” he disclosed. He said the team later returned to the station and continued with the interview.
He furthered that on the 29th April, he and Detective Police Constable Bah M. A further interviewed the first accused person (Mohamed Johnson). The said contemporaneous interview statement was tendered in court.
At this stage, Magistrate Sahr Keikura stopped the proceedings and requested for an adjournment. He remanded all the accused persons and the matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 16th June 2021.
