By Mohamed J Kargbo
Ishmael Yallah Sankoh, a youth made another appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on a charge of murder.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Spur Loop, Stone Ground off Regent Road, Lumley, Freetown, Sankoh allegedly murdered Musa Momoh Vandy.
Police prosecutor Inspector Sellu Tap led the examination of the third prosecution witness, Police Detective Sergeant 7907 Kamara M., attached to the Lumley Police Station.
The witness recognized the accused and recalled that on Sunday, April 14, 2024, while on duty at the Lumley Police Station, some community members brought Sankoh to the station. The community members reported that the accused had stabbed Musa Momoh Vandy, who subsequently died.
The witness further testified that they arrested the accused and immediately went to the emergency hospital where the victim had been admitted. Upon their arrival, the doctor informed them that the victim had succumbed to his injuries.
Detective Sergeant Kamara observed a wound on the victim’s neck, and the deceased’s family later transferred the body to Connaught Mortuary, where a postmortem was conducted.
On April 15, 2024, Sergeant Kamara, along with Sergeant 8873 Fatmata B. Samura, obtained a voluntary statement from the accused. The statement was given in Krio, translated into English, and signed by the accused with his right thumbprint.
On April 17, 2024, Detective Sergeant Kamara and Detective Sergeant 1164 Soko visited Connaught Hospital, where they received the postmortem results and a knife that had been removed from the deceased’s throat. Photographs of the deceased were also taken as part of the evidence.
The accused was formally charged with murder, and the charge, along with the voluntary statements, was presented in court as part of the evidence. The accused was unrepresented, and no bail application was made on his behalf.
Magistrate Kekura denied bail and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Center at Pademba Road. The matter was adjourned to July 10, 2024, for further hearings.
