By Fatima Kpaka
On Wednesday, February19, 2025, Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 committed Hawanatu Hawa Koroma to the High Court for trial. Koroma is accused of pouring fuel on her husband and setting him ablaze, leading to his death.
Committal Ruling
In his committal ruling, Magistrate Bangura informed the court that the accused faced a charge of murder contrary to section 1 of the Offences Against the Person’s Act of 1816, as repealed and replaced by section 1(a) of the schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act of 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022. The indictment states that on Friday, 22nd November 2024, at the back of Leicester Peak Junction in Freetown, Koroma murdered Nabieu Bangura.
Evidence and Testimonies
The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, led five witnesses whose testimonies were corroborated. Magistrate Bangura noted the indictable nature of the offence necessitated a preliminary investigation. The prosecution was required to present sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the accused, warranting her committal to the High Court.
In discharging this burden, the prosecution called five witnesses who testified and were cross-examined by defense counsel A. N. D. Musa on behalf of the accused. Magistrate Bangura stated that he had carefully reviewed the evidence in its entirety and found that the prosecution had established a prima facie case. He noted that almost all the witnesses confirmed that the accused poured petrol on the deceased and set him ablaze.
As a result, Koroma was committed to the High Court without bail for further trial pursuant to section 120 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.