Led in evidence by the Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray, the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Detective Sergeant Alie Badara Conteh testified that he is attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) branch at the East End Police Station in Freetown.
He informed the court that he recognized the alleged murderer, John Kamara and vividly recalled the incident of 5th February 2019.
According to Detective Police Sergeant Alie Badara Conteh, on the aforementioned date, a case file relating to the murder of Isata Sankoh was assigned to him to prefer the charge for the offence of Murder against the accused person.
The witness further informed the court that he charged the alleged murderer, John Kamara with the offence of Murder, after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) had advised that the accused person be charged with Murder.
The accused person, he went on, was cautioned and questioned in Krio language and also made responses in Krio language which were recorded down in English.
He said that at the conclusion of the charge statement, it was read over and explained to the accused person, John Kamara in Krio, which he admitted to be true and correct, and after which he signed the charge statement by affixing his right hand thumb-print.
The charge statement of the accused person was produced and tendered in evidence.
Furthermore, the fifth prosecution witness (PW5), Detective Police Constable George Michael Bundor testified that he is the Senior Crime Officer (SCO) attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) branch at East End Police Station.
He recalled 3rd January 2019, when himself and police investigator, 10941 Noah M.M. together with family members of the deceased, Isata Sankoh witnessed the post-mortem examination of the deceased at the Connaught Hospital Mortuary in Freetown.
According to Detective Police Constable George Michael Bundor the post-mortem examination was conducted by pathologist and forensic expert Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma.
He further testified that while Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma was conducting post-mortem examination on the remains of Isata Sankoh, he took twenty three photographs which he later developed into pictures, which have since been in the custody of the police, he told the court.
The twenty three photographs of the deceased which were developed into pictures were produced and tendered into evidence in respect of the matter before the court.
Since there was no other witness to testify, Magistrate Hannah Bonnie ordered that the alleged murderer, John Kamara be kept at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road.
The matter comes up again on Tuesday 18th March this year.