During cross-examination by counsel representing the alleged murderer, the deceased’ brother Mustapha Bangalie Sankoh responded that he recognized the accused person in the dock and recalled the incident of Wednesday 26th December 2018.
He told the court that on the day in question, he was at home when his father telephoned and informed him that his sister was in critical condition.
According to the deceased’ brother Mustapha Bangalie Sankoh, upon his arrival, he saw his sister lying on the ground helplessly with bruises on her face and could not move her hands and legs although she had never been diagnosed with epilepsy.
When he enquired from his father what the problem was, the witness informed the court that his father informed him that the deceased had gone to the accused person John Kamara who is her boyfriend to the Tangains Festival at the National Stadium.
He further responded that his father informed him that he had learned that the deceased had been attacked by a devil, while she was together with her boyfriend returning home from the Tangains Festival.
Mustapha Bangalie Sankoh also informed the court that since his sister’s condition was worsening, his father, the accused person John Kamara and other relatives decided to contact a herbalist at a place called Red Pump in the western part of Freetown.
The witness intimated that when they realized that his sister was not showing any sign of recovering, they decided to take the deceased to the Eastern Police Station.
He explained that his sister was later rushed to the government Connaught Hospital for treatment, while police officers attached to the East End Police Station were obtaining statement from him, after which he went to the Connaught Hospital, where his sister finally succumbed to death.
The witness further said that a post-mortem examination was conducted on the remains of the deceased, Isata Sankoh and a certificate of the cause of death issued to the deceased’ relatives which was produced and tendered in evidence.
The certificate of the cause death of Isata Sankoh, the witness said indicated that the deceased was seriously beaten and was under the influence of drug and other narcotics.
The charge sheet also stated that the accused person John Kamara is twenty five years old and was arrested by Detective Police Constable 10941 Kamara M. N. on 5th February 2019.
The matter was prosecuted by Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray and the Associating Counsel was barrister Aminata Sillah.
At this stage of the proceedings, Magistrate Hannah Bonnie refused the accused person John Kamara bail and ordered that he be incarcerated at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown. The matter comes up again on Monday 27th February this year.
