Government Pathologist Violates Court Order

By Musa Paul Feika

The only government pathologist, Dr. Siemon Owizz Koroma, has failed to testify in the ongoing murder trial at the Ross Road Magistrate Court No. 1, which is presided over by Magistrate Alhaji Suliaman Koroma. The trial involves five Mount Everest security guards, Albert Kaiyoga, Alie Kamara, Mohamed Dumbuya and two others, who are charged with the offence of murder, which is contrary to law.

The police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP, Osman Mahmoud Bangura, told the court that he had sent subpoenas twice to the Dr. Owizz Koroma, for him to avail himself in court, but he failed to do so.

The accused are standing trial for allegedly killing of one their co-workers, Moses Collier, on the 29^th March this year at Choithram Factory, S.L.M.P.B., Wellington, in Freetown.

During proceedings, one of the defence counsels, D.J.  Lavallie, representing the 3^rd accused, mentioned the matter.  But Dr. Koroma was not present and the Police prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Osman Mahamound Bangura, sought for a brief stand down in order to get in touch with him. His application was granted.

ASP Bangura later re-mentioned the stood down matter after few hours, but it was rather unfortunate that neither Dr. Owizz Koroma nor the defence counsels were present in court. It was against this background that the police prosecutor asked the Bench for an advice.

In his response, the presiding magistrate advised him to make other witnesses available in court to speed up with matter.

It could be recall that, during the last proceedings, the death certificate, tendered in court for identification, allegedly showed that the deceased, Moses Collier, had died of strangulation. So the defence team pleaded with the Bench for a subpoena to be sent to him due to the fact that he is the fit and proper person to testify in the court.

The indictment adduces that Albert Kaiyoga, Abdul Salam Conteh, Alie Kamara, Mohamed Dumbuya and two others, on the 29^th March 2020 at Choithram Factory, murdered Moses Collier.

The accused were denied bail and sent ton remand at the Male Correctional Center, Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 7^th September, 2020.