Police Officer Testifies In Wounding Trial

By Musa Paul Feika

Detective Police Constable 14944 Alieu Yusuf Kamara, attached at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ross Road Police Division in Freetown, yesterday testified in the ongoing matter involving one Ishaka Kamara, who is charged with the offences of wounding with intent, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which offences are all contrary to law.

Testifying before the court, the witness said he recognized the accused as well as the complainant, Alhaji Samura, and he could recall Tuesday 7^th May this year.

According to him, he was on duty at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Ross Road Police Division, when Inspector Ishmael Koroma, attached to the Special Operations Department Kissy Police Division in Freetown, apprehended the accused and brought him into the Station for an alleged case of wounding with intent and other related charges.

Mr. Kamara said the accused was handed over to him with a scissors, which he later handed over to the Exhibit Clerk at Ross Road Police Division for safe keeping. He told the court that he issued a police medical request form to the complainant for treatment at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown.

He furthered that he returned the endorsed medical paper to the police, which was tendered in court to form part of the court records.

On the 7^th April, 2020, the witness continued his testimony, he obtained statements from the complainant and his witnesses, noting that, on the same date, himself and Detective Police Constable 11213 Kandeh M. obtained a voluntary caution statement from the accused. The accused admitted it to be true and correct. The interview statement of the accused was witnessed by Detective Police Constable 11213 Kandeh M.

The voluntary caution statement of the accused was also produced and tendered in court, and marked as Exhibit A.

On the 8^th April 2020, Mr. Kamara stated that he charged the accused with the offences of wounding with intent, wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which are all contrary to the Offences against the Persons Act of 1861.

The police charge sheet states that Ishaka Kamara, on Tuesday 7^th May 2020, at Wellington in Freetown, wounded and assaulted Alhaji Samura, in a manner thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.

The accused was denied bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown and the matter was adjourned to 8^th July 2020.