By Musa Paul Feika
Five accused, namely Abdul Rahaman Swanneh, Mohamed Dumbuya, Abdul Salem Conteh and two others, are standing trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No.1, which is presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma, for the offence of murder, an offence which is contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
The alleged incident took place on Friday 29th May 2020 at Choithram`s factory, PMB Wellington, in the east of Freetown.
The police prosecution witness, Frank Joseph William, a mechanic, who works at Choithram`s factory, in his evidence before the court, said he recognized the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused and could recall Friday 29th May, 2020.
According to him, on the day in question, he was at Grafton in the outskirts of Freetown. He said he received a telephone call from one of the security guards, Alie Showers, who gave him information that they saw the deceased, Moses Collier, in one of the generator rooms within the compound.
The witness continued that he immediately left Grafton for the alleged crime scene at PMB Wellington, adding that, upon his arrival, he saw two CID officers, including other security guards.
Mr. Williams further stated that himself and the two police officers entered into the generator`s room where, according to him, they saw the deceased lying down on the floor.
The witness added that he immediately contacted the Manager of the factory and explained exactly what had happened in the factory. He said the manager instructed him and the police officers to convey the remains of the deceased at Connaught Hospital mortuary in Freetown, which they did.
Mr. Williams said, at the crime scene, he noticed footprints on the wall of the fence, adding that the padlock at the second gate leading to the compound was damaged and the gate was opened.
The witness said the investigating officers, from Wellington Police Division, called upon the night guards who were on duty for further investigation.
The witness rounded up his evidence stating that, after one month and half, he was called upon to witness the postmortem, which was conducted by the only government pathologist, Dr. Siemon Owizz Koroma, at Connaught Hospital in Freetown.
He said he made a statement at the Wellington Police Division in the east of Freetown in respect of the matter.
Another factual witness, Abdulai Bah, took the witness box. In his testimony, he said he recognized the accused and could recall the day in question. He said was at home when he received a telephone call from one of the co-workers, whose name was not called, and gave him information that the deceased had fallen down and died in the factory.
Mr. Bah said, upon receiving the information, he immediately left for the crime scene, at PMB Wellington in Freetown, noting that, upon his arrival, he saw the deceased lying down flat on the floor.
“I shook my head and felt discouraged and left the crime scene,” Mr. Bah told the court in tears.
The witness said he eventually made a statement at the Wellington Police Division, in the east of Freetown, in respect of the matter.
According to police charge sheet, the accused, Abdul Rahaman Swanneh, Mohamed Dumbuya, Abdul Salem Conteh and two others, on Friday 29th May 2020 at Choithram`s factory PMB Wellington, in Freetown, murdered Moses Collier.
The accused were refused bail and remanded at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown.
The matter was adjourned to 17th August, 2020.