By Musa Paul Feika
Police prosecution witness No. 2, Mohamed Fofanah, on Friday 25th June, 2021, testified in the ongoing murder trial involving Michael Justine James Kanneh, who was charged with the offence of alleged murder contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
It was alleged by the police that Michael Justine James Fofanah, on the 22nd March 2021, at No. 10 Tucker Drive, Majay Town Goderich, in Freetown, murdered Sinnah Fofanah and Yantuda Fofanah Wilson. Both deceased were husband and wife, who were residing at the aforesaid address, Goderich in Freetown.
Led in evidence by Inspector Isatu Gbesseh Fofanah, PW2 who told the bench that he recognized Mr. Sinnah as his elder brother and Madam Fofanah Wilson, as his elder brother’s wife. The witness (Mohamed Fofanah) is a private security guard and could recall 26th March 202
He added that, on that fateful day, in the evening hours, he received a distressed telephone call from somebody in United State of America (USA), who informed him about the incident “Upon receiving the information, I went at No. 10’ Tucker Drive Majay Town and met police officers at the scene. I then introduced myself to them as the younger brother to Mr. Sinnah. I was called upon at the Adonkia Police Station and made a statement,” the witness told the bench.
“ I was also informed by police officers that their remains have been conveyed to the Connaught Hospital mortuary in Freetown,” T witness concluded his evidence.
Earlier PW1, who was led in evidence by the police prosecutor, Inspector Isatu Gbesseh Fofanah told the bench that he recognized the late man as his stepfather and Madam Fofanah Wilson as his biological mother.
He said he also recognized the accused and could recall 22nd March, 2021. “On that day, I called my mother through telephone, but her cell phone was switched off,” Ibrahim Jalloh said.
“I then called my stepfather again, but somebody, with a strange voice, picked the call, who told me that he was at the site,” Mr. Jalloh told the court. On the following day, the witness continued that, one Kadiejah Dumbuya went to the resident of the deceased at Tucker Drive, Majay Town, Goderich in Freetown.
He said, upon their arrival, they knocked at the door twice, but nobody answered them and they however noticed that there was light inside the palour..
The witness continued that, on Thursday he called his sister, whose name was not mentioned, to bring the spare key to him. “By the time she came, the place was dark and I asked her for us to meet there on the following day,” Mr. Jalloh told the bench.
He said on the next day, himself, Abdulai Bangura and one Momoh went to the scene, adding that, upon their arrival, he opened the main door and saw blood running down the steps.
The witness further that he noticed that something had happened for which he went to the Adonkia Police Station to make a statement. The witness added that, him and a team of police officers visited the scene of crime noting that, when the police officers opened the door leading to the palour, he saw his stepfather and mother lying in a pool of blood.
He continued that, he then decided to contact the Connaught Hospital Mortuary Team that later conveyed the corpses to the mortuary where a postmortem was conduct on the remains of both deceased, and the cause of the death certificates was handed over to him.
He produce and tender the death certificates in court..
After three days, the witness told the court, he received a telephone call from his aunt (Mary), who informed him that she saw the deceased’s vehicle at Grass Field in Lumley, and upon receiving the information, he went to Grass field where he saw the vehicle parked at the compound of the accused..
“When I searched inside the vehicle, I saw my stepfather’s shoes, two syringes, my mother’s bag and spray,” he told the court. Jalloh concluded his testimony by stating that, after three days, the accused was apprehended at Lumley and later handed over to the police at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters, Pademba Road in Freetown, for investigation.
The accused is arraigned before the court on two counts of murder all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that Michael Justine James Kanneh, was alleged to have the two deceased on the Monday 22nd March, 2021, at Tucker Drive, Majay Town, Goderich in Freetown but since the inception of the trial, the accused has not been legally represented.
On Friday again, the accused was refused bail and sent on remand whilst the matter was adjourned to 2nd July, 2021.