After she allegedly murdered her colleague, (Sonia Mary Thomas), Magistrate Sahr Kekura, at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Friday 15th October 2021 remanded one Elizabeth Mande Judith Kanu second year student of the University of Makeni, Mass Communications Department at the Female Correctional Facility.

According to the indictment, police alleged that the accused Elizabeth Mande Judith Kanu on Monday 6th September 2021, at UNIMAK Fatima Campus Hostel Makeni in the Bombali District Northern province murdered Sonia Mary Thomas.

The accused faces a one count charge of murder contrary to law.

Led in evidence by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Aminatu Darboh, first prosecution witness, Ramash Kamara, who is also a second year student of the College, said she recognizes the accused whom she said is her friend and colleague. She also recognized the deceased Sonia Mary Thomas.

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Kamara recalled that on the 6th September 2021, she was at the University’s hostel, together with the accused and few other colleagues, including the deceased at room 15. Kamara said she and her colleagues asked the deceased for food, and she gave them Quaker Oats and Cornflour which they ate. Kamara added that she left with a friend, Kainda, leaving the deceased and the accused.

“But whiles in the corridor, I heard the accused and the deceased arguing, my friend Kainda Sesay and I rushed back to the room and asked what was the problem but they did not respond. Later the deceased told us that she had told the accused to stop shouting in her place. In my presence the deceased had wanted to hit the accused but we stopped her and asked her to forget about what had happened”, the witness revealed.

Kamara told the Court that the accused was still shouting at the deceased, and the deceased and the accused got into a fight which left the deceased in a state of unconsciousness. She said they made some efforts to resuscitate her, until when she was being moved to the hospital by the College’s Matron, together with one Father Joe Turay.

She said while they were about to go to the hospital, they were informed by Father Joe Turay that the deceased had passed away. Kamara said she was being held in detention at the Makeni Police Station for questioning. Before long, she said the matter was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) where she made a statement.

During cross examination by defence counsel, lawyer J.M Jengo, the witness reiterated that the accused rushed at the deceased twice and that it was the second attempt to hit the deceased that she fainted.

The witness also confirmed that it was Father Joe and others that had first physical contact with the deceased after she fainted. The witness further told the court during cross examination that she could not tell what transpired at the hospital because she was not there.

At this stage Magistrate Sahr Kekura remanded the accused and he adjourned the matter to the 20th October 2021.