By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
Amara Sama, a shop assistant residing at Pujehun Section in Kenema; Juana Kallon, an unemployed youth of 4 Philip street in Kenema, and Moray Vandy Farma, another unemployed youth resident of 4 Wesley street in Kenema, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, were committed to stand trial at the High Court by Magistrate Shaka Kamara of Magistrate Court no.1 in Kenema.
The three accused persons were charged to court for conspiracy and murder.
It could be recalled that Amara Sama, Juana Kallon and Moray Vandy Farma on September 11, 2024 at 26 Hangha Road in Kenema, conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony to wit murder. On the aforementioned date and place, the three accused persons allegedly murdered Salim Alie Dayeck, a Lebanese businessman in Kenema. No plea taken and the three accused persons were remanded at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema whilst the preliminary investigation was ongoing. The preliminary investigation, which commenced on September 30, 2024, lasted for three days. Four witnesses were brought to court to testify in the matter and there was corroboration in their testimonies.
A pair of white socks was produced and tendered in court as exhibit X1-2, two pairs of scissors and four assorted kitchen knives, one with blood stained were tendered in court as exhibits B and C respectively. A photograph of the scene of crime was tendered in court. One old pink coloured shirt, one locally made cutlass with blood stained, two mental harmers and one Indian hoe blade from the shop of the late man were tendered in court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Shaka Kamara said, “I hold that the prosecution has established sufficient evidence to put the 1st, 2nd and 3rd accused persons on trial”. He therefore committed them to stand trial at the High Court. The three accused persons were remanded at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema, pending on the hearing and determination of the matter at the High Court.
The matter was prosecuted by Police Inspector Alpha Samuel Musa associated with Lawyer Pawusu I. Bangura and Lawyer Joseph Bandabla Dauda whilst the three accused persons were represented by Defence Counsel Patrick Kamara of Legal Aid Board in Kenema District.