Man Chopped to Death – Police Inspector Testifies

One Abdul Slowe (deceased) was allegedly chopped to death by his close friend the accused Abdul Lamin Kamara, aged 27, who is standing trial on a one count charge of Murder contrary to Law before Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Magistrate Court No.2 Pademba Road, Freetown.

According to the participants of offence, Abdul Lamin Kamara on the 24^th August, 2021 conspired with other persons unknown to murder one Abdul Slowe in his house with cutlass.

Testifying in Court, Detective Inspector Brima Amara Munu formerly attached to the Criminal Investigations Department Central Police Station, now the Adonkia Police Station recognized the accused and recalled the 24^th August 2021, noting that whilst on duty an inquiry file from Tokeh Police Post containing a witness statement was allocated to him for further investigation, adding that on the same day together with the Crime Officer Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Libbie he visited the scene of crime.

He continued that upon their arrival, he obtained statement from the complainant and witness. On the same day, they arrested the relatives of the deceased and the accused and brought them to the Adonkia Police Station. ASP Munu visited the scene of crime where the remains of the deceased had already been conveyed to the Connaught Hospital Mortuary.

The witness furthered that at the crime scene he took photographs which he developed into pictures which he wished to produce and tender to form part of the Court Records. PW3 said on the 25^th August 2021, together with Detective Police Constable 132336 Kanu A. he obtained a Voluntary Statement from the accused person.

He continued that during the cause of investigation, he sent a letter of request to the Government Pathologist Owiss Koroma to conduct a postmortem on the deceased. He said on the 1^st September 2021, an autopsy was conducted on the deceased on the cause of death and the certificate was handed over to him which he wished to tender to form part of the Court Records.

On that ground, the defense lawyer MB Koroma objected that he is the proper person to tender such document. In response to his objection, the Police Prosecutor Inspector A.T Bangura cited Section 70 of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965 which gives the right to tender documents; the bench ignored the objection of the defense counsel and the document was tendered.

The witness was cross examined by the defense counsel and the matter was adjourned to the 19^th October 2021.