By Janet A. Sesay
Magistrate Marke Ngegba of Court No.2 has sent Sheriff Kamara, who is alleged by the police to have murdered his wife in a bush, to the High Court for further trial.
Led in evidence by A.S.P. Hawa Bah, the exhibit clerk, Abu Conteh, attached to the Crime Writers Office at the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters in Freetown, recognized the accused.
According to Abu Conteh, his duty involves the safe keeping of all exhibits brought to the office, which he will normally produce when needed.
He said, on 26th February, 2021, he was on duty when Detective Inspector Kargbo, attached at the Homicide Unit, handed over to him the following exhibits, which include one blue and white handle kitchen knife, one techno android mobile phone with Africell and Orange sim cards and one black techno mobile phone also with Orange and Africell sims.
He said he took possession of them and registered same in the court register book against serial number 36/2021, which has since been in his custody. The said exhibits were tendered in court to form part of the evidence.
The accused was unrepresented in court and so no cross-examination was done on his behalf.
Before committal, Magistrate Ngegba explained to the court of having looked at the evidence before him and been satisfied that the prosecution had led sufficient evidence against the accused, which makes fit to stand trial at the High court. The accused was therefore committed to the High Court for further trial.
The accused was arraigned on a count of murder, which is contrary to law. The charge sheet states that the accused, on 5th February, 2021, at Machamra village North West Region of Sierra Leone, allegedly murdered Marian Kongaima (his wife).