By: Edrie Caleb John
In an alleged murder case before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Court No. 2 on Pa Demba Road, prosecution witness Rugiatu Sesay, an investigator with the Criminal Investigation Department, testified under cross-examination that the case was filed based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Thirty-four-year-old Mousa Sewa, a businessman, is facing a single count of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022.
During the cross-examination, defense counsel I.J. Sesay posed several questions regarding the investigation. Sesay confirmed that the deceased had visited a friend named Patricia in Freetown before returning to Makeni. When asked if she had obtained a statement from Patricia, Sesay acknowledged that efforts to locate her were unsuccessful.
The witness clarified that investigators had visited the crime scene and attempted to interview neighbors in Makeni but were unable to gather substantial information. Defense counsel inquired about the accused’s voluntary caution statement, which indicated that the deceased had suffered an attack on the way to the hospital. Sesay confirmed that they had interviewed a witness, Momahed Kanu, who corroborated the accident.
Further questioning revealed that the witness had access to medical records indicating the deceased had suffered from malaria and typhoid. However, when pressed on whether there was any evidence linking the accused to the strangulation of the deceased, Sesay admitted there was none.
The witness reiterated that the prosecution’s charge was primarily based on the autopsy report, stating that the case was initiated following advice from the DPP rather than direct evidence of the accused’s involvement.
The magistrate adjourned the matter, scheduling the next hearing for November 14, 2024. A. M. Kamara and I.J. Sesay are representing the accused in this case.
