By Fatima Kpaka
On Wednesday, 19th February 2025, Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No. 1 remanded Emma Coker, a social worker, and Abdul Khe-Morlai, a student, for the alleged murder of twenty-two-year-old Mohamed Conteh.
Charges and Allegations
The accused, Coker and Khe-Morlai, faced two counts: conspiracy to murder contrary to section 4 of the Offenses Against the Person’s Act of 1861, and murder contrary to section 1 of the same Act, as repealed and replaced by section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act of 2001. According to the charge sheet, on Sunday, 22nd December 2024, at Bonga Lane in Freetown, the accused conspired to commit murder. They allegedly murdered Mohamed Conteh on the same date and place.
Court Proceedings
During the court session, the prosecutor, ASP Ibrahim Mansaray, informed the Magistrate that the witness, who is the mother of the deceased, was not in a stable mental state to testify and requested more time. Defense counsel C.T. Kamara suggested that the prosecution should present another witness to save time. However, Magistrate Kekura emphasized that the prosecution was in charge of their case and he had no right to dictate their proceedings.
The matter was adjourned to Friday, February 28, 2025, for the mother of the deceased to testify. Meanwhile, the accused were remanded in prison.