Magistrate Sahr Kekura
By Emma Black
Journalist Joseph Mendel Lamin, popularly known as Manager Dust, along with Morlia Kamara, a commercial bike rider, and Umaru Timbo, a driver, made their fourth court appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown, the trio faces grave charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder, in violation of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021.
According to the prosecution, the accused are believed to have conspired with others to murder journalist Samuel Brima Mattia on January 15, 2025, at the voice of peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio Station located in Kissi Town, Waterloo.
During a tense court session, Defense Counsel M. Barateh subjected prosecution witness Abubakarr Kargbo to a rigorous cross-examination, the witness was asked to read aloud his previously recorded statement in relation to the first accused, the statement noted that Lamin denied involvement in the murder, stating, I have no arms in the death of Mattia, when asked by the defense whether this amounted to a denial, the witness confirmed, yes.
Further pressed by Barateh, Kargbo admitted that no altercation was observed at the VOPAD Radio Station during the investigation, and no body was discovered at the scene on the day of the alleged crime, when questioned about the actual location where the deceased was found, the witness said he was informed by the prosecution that the corpse was located behind the Sierra Leone Correctional Center fence in Waterloo.
Kargbo also confirmed that Joseph Lamin was not present at the radio station during his visit with the lead crime scene investigator. When asked whether he conducted any scientific examination on the electric cable found during the investigation believed to be a potential piece of evidence he responded No.
He further stated that both he and Inspector K. Matthew had obtained statements from the first accused as part of the ongoing investigation, the case has been adjourned to June 3, 2025, for continued proceedings.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 30TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
