A Freetown Magistrate Court has last Friday sent an alleged murder matter involving a fifty -eight year old man to High Court.
Magistrate Sahr Kekura of the Ross Road Court No.1 on Friday 25 August 2023 committed the alleged murder matter involving Suliaman Conteh, 58, to a Freetown High Court for trial.
Conteh is before the court for ‘murder’ contrary to law. It was alleged by the Inspector General of Police that the accused, on 14 July 2023, at No .6A Savage Street in Wellington, Freetown murdered Isha Saidu Hughes. Magistrate Kekura said the charge was read to the accused, but no plea was taken because it was preliminary investigations.
He said the police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mohamed B. Conteh led five witnesses including formal witnesses.
In his ruling, Magistrate Kekura informed that the PW 2, told the court that the accused hit the deceased with hammer, adding that when she rushed to the bathroom, the accused chased her there and stabbed her to death.
He said his responsibilities as a Bench is to look into the matter if the prosecution don’t produced any sufficient evidence, he would discharged the accused pursuant to 94 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
Magistrate Kekura said if the prosecution produced enough evidence against the accused, he would therefore commit the matter to the High Court for trial, adding that the accused was unrepresented and that of the five prosecutions witnesses, he only cross examined the fifth witness, Alimamy Kamara.
He said looking at the evidence adduced including the accused’s statement he made to the police and confessed to him that he used a hammer and stabbed the deceased to death.
Magistrate said based on the evidence including hammer and knife have convinced him that the prosecution had sufficient evidence against the accused. The matter was committed to High Court for trial.
The accused pleaded with the family members for forgiveness as he had nothing absolutely to say because he is guilty. When he was asked if he is ready to give evidence in the High Court regarding what transpired between him the deceased, he responded in the affirmative.
The accused admitted that the only witness he had is her sister, who may testify on his behalf
Magistrate Kekura committed the matter to High Court for trial and remand the accused at the Male Correctional Centre.
