By Mamajah Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone, Mousa Sewa a thirty-four years old business man on Tuesday, 29 October, 2024, was again arraigned for the continuation of his alleged murder trial before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 on count charge of Murder Contrary to section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 as repealed and replaced by Section 1 (a) to the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022, Act No 6 of 2022.
According to the particulars of offence, that you on Sunday the 18th of August 2024 at Mankneh Qcell pole, Makeni City Bombali in the northern province of the Republic of Sierra Leone allegedly murdered Massah Massaquoi.
When the charge was read and explained to the accused person no plea was given.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington sought for a short adjournment date because her witness is absent in court
Lahai Marah Massaquoi who is a civil servant testified in the alleged murder trial and confirmed that he knows the deceased as her daughter. He recalled that on the 19th of August Monday morning his sister called him and revealed that his daughter Massah is dead.
Lahai noted that since he was stopped from seeing her daughter he decided that something is wrong and report the matter to the police. He furthered on the 26th of August the alleged family called a meeting for them to compromise the course of his daughter’s deaths, but refused as she deserve justice. Massaquoi could not further and cried uncontrollably.
Massaquoi furthered that he was told a funeral was conducted for the deceased at King Memorial United Methodist Church, pointing out that he went there with police to stop the funeral. He added that the body was taken to the 34 Military Hospital.
During cross examination Lahai Marah Massaquoi confirmed that he is the biological father of the deceased and he used to take care of her, noted she stayed with her mother and he had no idea where his daughter died. Lahai revealed that he will not be surprised to learn that the deceased had left the residence as he was in touch with the deceased and they met at Wilberforce three weeks before her deaths. Massaquoi echoed that he did not know the accused therein
Counsel representing the accused person A. P. Juah Esq pleaded with the bench to talk with the prosecutor to speed the trial as it is serious in nature
Meanwhile, Magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused person to the male correctional facility in Freetown.
However, the case has been adjourned to the 5 November 2024, for further hearings.
