Thirty-four-year-old businessman Mousa Sewa appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2, Freetown, on Tuesday, facing a charge of murder under Sierra Leone’s Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022.

The charge stems from the alleged murder of Massah Massaquoi on August 18, 2024, near the Qcell pole in Mankneh, Makeni City, Bomboli, in the Northern province.

The charge was read and explained to the accused, though no plea was taken. The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, called their first witness, Lahai Marah Massaquoi, a civil servant and the father of the deceased, who emotionally recounted the tragic series of events leading to the court case.

In his testimony, Mr. Massaquoi recalled being informed of his daughter’s death on the morning of August 19, 2024, via a call from his sister. He described his shock and subsequent determination to seek justice, noting that he had been prevented from seeing his daughter in the days leading up to her death. Suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her passing, he immediately reported the matter to the police.

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Further troubling details surfaced when Mr. Massaquoi revealed that on August 26, the family of the accused attempted to arrange a meeting with him in a bid to “compromise” the matter. However, Mr. Massaquoi stated firmly that he refused the overture, stating that his daughter’s death warranted justice. His testimony was cut short as he became visibly emotional, pausing several times to regain composure.

The witness also disclosed that, without his knowledge, a funeral service had been planned at King Memorial UMC Church. In response, he involved the police to halt the service, and his daughter’s body was subsequently transported to the 34 Military Hospital for further investigation.

During cross-examination, defense counsel A.P. Juah questioned Mr. Massaquoi about his relationship with his daughter. Mr. Massaquoi affirmed that he was the biological father, financially supported her, and had recently met her at Wilberforce. He admitted that he did not know the accused personally.

After hearing the testimony, Magistrate Bangura denied bail for Mousa Sewa, remanding him to Freetown’s male correctional facility. The magistrate emphasized the serious nature of the charge and adjourned the matter until November 5, 2024, urging the prosecution to expedite proceedings.

This case continues to attract public interest as the community awaits further developments in the search for justice for Massah Massaquoi.