On Monday the 7th September 2020, a panel of jurors at the ongoing Special Criminal Session of the High Court holden in Port Loko will either acquit and discharge or sentence to death by hanging three accused who had been tried for allegedly committing conspiracy to murder, which is contrary to Section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act of 1861, and murder, which is also contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence, Zainab Bangura, on the 14th day of December, 2019, at Royeama, Lungi Town, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District, murdered Mary Kanu.
Zainab Bangura, the witness, said, on the 14th day of December, 2019, the accused came to her house knocking at her door, requesting that she opened the door. She further stated that the accused intimated her that the deceased child had fallen into the water well, but she said she didn’t tell anyone. She said the accused spent the night with her and, in the morning hours, she accompanied her to the house where the accident took place. There they saw the child floating in the well.
On the case of Abdulai Kamara, the particulars of offense state that, on the Tuesday 7th of July, 2020 at No. 24 Modu Street in Bekeh Chiefdom in the Port Loko District, murdered Alimamy Sankoh (a father of four) after stabbing him with a long knife.
Investigation revealed that the accused murdered the deceased after they had an altercation over an unpaid debt. It was during that moment that the accused promised to take the deceased’s life, which he did. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
The particulars of offence state that, on the 11th June 2020, at Campdee Village, Rokon Section, Samu Chiefdom, Kambia District, the accused murdered Kabba Kamara. According to Section 1 of the Homicide Act of 1957, on murder, it is stated that “Whosoever shall be convicted of murder shall suffer death as a felon.”
Senior residents in Port Loko have expressed serious concerns over the increasing crime rate, particularly of murder and other heinous offenses. They said destructive drugs, in circulation in the country, are the principal reason for the stabbing, killing and house breaking.
They thanked the Hon. Chief Justice for his commitment towards effective justice delivery, particularly to the people of Port Loko.
“Just this year, the Hon. Chief Justice, Desmond Babatunde Edwards, has conducted two Special Sessions of the High Court in Port Loko. In fact, the heinous cases of murder, robbery with aggravation, wounding with intent, sexual penetration and the rest are justifiable reasons for the Chief Justice to provide us with a resident judge in Port Loko,” Mr. Mohamed Koroma, an octogenarian, said.