KAMBIA MURDER CASE WITHDRAWN FOR RULING By Fatima Kpaka Magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba Road Court No.1 has, withdrawn an alleged murder matter of Amidu Kargbo of Kambia town for ruling after the defense led two witnesses in evidence on Monday 12th September 2022. The accused persons Abubakar Suleiman Kamara, Dora Samuella Kamara, Benjamin Mohamed Lamin Kamara, and Imatu Suleiman Kamara were under preliminary investigation for the crimes of conspiracy and murder. According to the particulars of offences, on Tuesday 5th July, 2022 at No.4 Mamah Lane Kambia 2 in the Magbema chiefdom North-West judicial District, the accused conspired with other persons unknown to murdered Amidu Kargbo. During the previous hearing, the Defense Counsel H.M. Gevao applied for a Subpoena to be served on the Pathologist as a witness because the fifth prosecution witness Paul lacked the competence and knowledge to explain the cause of death of Amidu Kargbo. In his testimony on that day, the fifth Prosecution Witness Detective Inspector Paul Amara Makieu attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said that on the 15th August, 2022 he was on duty when he received the cause of death certificate from the Government Consultant Pathologist Dr. Owizz Koroma. Making his clarification when led by Lawyer Gevao, the first defence witness Government Pathologist Dr. Owizz Koroma told the Court that he had examined the remains of Amidu Kargbo and subsequently issued the cause of death certificate to the Police. In his findings, the pathologist stated that Amidu Kargbo died of multiple blunt force fractures due to fatal physical assault. The Pathologist said the cervical vertebrae cannot be dislocated by canes. He added that the mere tying of the deceased hands and feet could not cause dislocation of the cervical vertebrae. When asked whether one could be able to run from one point to another if their cervical vertebrae were dislocated, the pathologist answered in the negative. During Cross examination by ASP Christina Davis Cole Esq. Dr . Owizz said the remains of the deceased had decomposed and he did the exhumation and autopsy at the grave side. The second Defense Witness , Abubakar Sulaiman Kamara in his testimony said he came to know Amidu Kargbo (now deceased) on the date of the alleged incident and further recalled 5th July, 2022. He added that on that day during the morning hours, his daughter the fourth accused informed him that her phone had gone missing. According to him, whiles they were discussing, the first prosecution witness, Mustapha Jalloh then arrived at his residence and gave them information that he saw someone with the deceased at the market place. He said the alleged thief Amidu Kargbo was brought home and was interrogated and searched and he was found in possessing of the said phone. The second defence witness said that while they were arguing a little girl came and identify the deceased as the one who had stolen their sheep. He said the deceased hands had been tied prior to that and that when he was later untied, he attempted to run away. He furthered that the accused was tied because of his attempt to run away. The Second Prosecution witness said that he and the other accused did not hit Amidu Kargbo with any hard objects, though, he was beaten with flowers sticks, noting that when Amidu Kargbo was running he saw people chasing him with sticks. After concluding his testimony Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent of Police Christiana Davies Cole cross examined him. At that stage, the defense closed its case. Magistrate Ngegba then withdrew the case file for ruling and adjourned the matter to Monday 19 September, 2022 with the accused persons still remanded in prison.
