By Fatima Kpaka
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Kadiatu Kanu, the wife of deceased journalist Samuel Brima Mattia, testified in the alleged murder case of her husband. The case involves former VOPAD radio station manager Joseph Mendel Lamin, alias “Manager Dust,” and two others.
Lamin, along with Morlia Kamara, a bike rider, and Umaru Timbo, a driver, appeared for their fourth court session before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1. They are charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021.
The prosecution alleges that on January 15, 2025, at the Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio Station in Kissi Town, Waterloo, the accused conspired with others to murder journalist Samuel Brima Mattia.
Second prosecution witness, Kadiatu Kanu, testified that she is a businesswoman and the deceased’s wife. She identified the first accused as her husband’s best friend and became acquainted with the second and third accused only during the trial.
Kadiatu recalled that on January 15, 2025, her husband left for work at around 6:30 AM to open the VOPAD Radio Station and returned home around 6 to 7 PM for dinner and a change of clothes. Later that evening, he informed her he was heading back to the station. At around 9 PM, when she did not see him, she tried to reach him by phone, but he was unreachable. She then contacted his best friend, the first accused, who claimed he was not at the radio station but had left his bike there and was at home with his girlfriend. Later, the first accused called her back, claiming he had gone to the station, heard music playing inside, but received no response when he tried calling Samuel. He assured her that her husband would return home soon.
The following day, January 16, 2025, with still no sign of her husband, Kadiatu informed her mother-in-law about his disappearance. She then went to VOPAD Radio Station, where she found the first accused sitting under a mango tree near the office. When her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Mattia, asked about Samuel, the first accused was unable to provide an answer.
As concern grew, they called Board Chairman Mr. Margia and a man named Foday, referred to as a brother. Upon their arrival, the two men took the first accused inside the office. After their discussion, they requested the station to be closed so they could report the matter to the police.
Kadiatu said they went to Kissy Town Police Station. Upon their arrival, the chairman, the first accused, and Foday returned, while one Aunty Neneh instructed her and Elizabeth to go home, which they did.
Later that day, Aunty Neneh called Kadiatu, informing her that the police had found a dead body in the bush. Initially in disbelief, she questioned why they were informing her but was devastated upon arriving at the scene to learn that the lifeless body was her husband, Samuel Brima Mattia. She later proceeded to the police station to give her statement.
Following Kadiatu’s emotional testimony, the court adjourned the matter to March 4, 2025, for further proceedings while the accused persons were remanded in prison.