By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Kadijah Kainesie, a miner from Kono District, testified on Monday, September 2, 2024, in the ongoing 75-carat diamond fraud case before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2. Kainesie, who identified herself as a miner, provided key evidence in the case, which has garnered significant public interest.
Led in her testimony by defense counsel Y.I. Sesay, Kainesie recounted her role in the mining operations and her involvement in the incident. She explained that her duties at the mine included carrying sand and other physical tasks. Kainesie stated that she was familiar with the complainant, Mr. Benjamin, as she had worked in his mines.
During her testimony, Kainesie identified and recognized the first and second accused individuals but could not identify the third accused, known as Basma. She vividly recalled an incident at the end of April 2024, when she and her colleagues were working at a mining site in Perima. While working in the pit, they discovered a diamond, which she described as “big, white, and shiny.”
According to Kainesie, a fellow miner named Sasco, who was the prosecution’s first witness (PW1), initially picked up the diamond using the toes of his right foot. The second accused then took the diamond from Sasco and handed it to the first accused, who was identified as ID card.
Kainesie further testified that after the diamond was found, they were briefly instructed to leave the pit but were later told to continue their work. Two weeks after the discovery, the first and second accused visited her at her lodging. During this visit, they informed her that the complainant, referred to as “the whiteman,” had learned about the diamond. They advised her to deny any knowledge of the diamond if questioned by the complainant. The accused promised to share the proceeds from the diamond sale with her, but Kainesie expressed confusion, as they had previously claimed to have handed the diamond over to the complainant.
Kainesie also mentioned that a few days later, she was attacked and harassed by a group of women. She expressed concern about the direction of the case and shared her unease with an individual named T.boy, who also witnessed the diamond at the mining site.
During cross-examination by defense lawyer J.M. Jengo, Kainesie reiterated that there were three people in the pit when the diamond was discovered. She confirmed that Sahr Moiwa, another miner, was the one who picked up the diamond, describing it as a large stone. The defense lawyer pointed out a discrepancy in her testimony, noting that PW1 Sahr Moiwa had previously stated that he took the diamond to the first accused. Kainesie admitted she was surprised by this claim.
When asked if she had verified whether the diamond had been given to Benjamin, Kainesie replied that she had not, as she had not communicated with him recently. She also confirmed that she had made a statement at the Motenma police station, signing it with her thumbprint.
The defense suggested that Kainesie’s testimony was influenced by the lawyer’s instructions, but she denied any prior knowledge of the lawyer before the case. Following her testimony, the lead prosecutor requested an adjournment, which was granted. The case has been adjourned until September 9, 2024, for further hearings.