By Musa Paul Feika
Police Constable Alusine Balla Bangura attached Scientific Support Unit at Ross Road Police Division, yesterday testified in an on-going wounding trial before Magistrate Alhaji Sullaiman Koroma of Ross Road Magistrate Court in Freetown.
The witness’s testimony bothers on two accused persons, Moses Mustapha and Augustine Mustapha who allegedly assaulted complainant, Hawanatu Kargbo and her daughter.
Bangura recognised the accused persons as well as complainant, and also recalled 12th January, this year. Bangura testified that he was on duty on that day at the SSU, Ross Road Police Division when complainant made a report of assault.
Upon receipt of the report, witness told the court, he issued two police medical forms to the complainants for medical examination and treatment. On the following day, witness said, complainants returned with their endorsed medical forms. On the same date, Bangura testified, he obtained statements from complainants.
On 28th January, this year, witness told the court he obtained statements from thee accused person. The statements, he went on, were read over to the accused which he admitted to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprints witnessed by Detective Sergeant Smith F.B.H.
The voluntary caution statements of the accused was identified and tendered in evidence. On 26th June, this year, witness told the court that he charged the accused with the offences of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Witness was cross-examined by the second accused, Augustine Mustapha. During cross examination, the accused put it to the witness that he was not the one who issued the complainants, police medical papers.
The police witness responded that he was the one who issued them to complainants. The accused also asked the witness whether he saw any wounds on complainants. The police witness also responded that he saw no wounds on the two complainants.
Accused persons were denied bail, and the matter comes up on 14th January, next year.