Emma Coker and Abdul Khe-Morlai made their third appearance before Principal Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 1 on Friday, February 21, 2025, facing serious charges related to the tragic death of a 22-year-old man.
The defendants were charged with two counts: conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
The charges allege that on December 22, 2024, at Bonga Lane in Freetown, both individuals conspired to murder Muhammad Conteh, the deceased.
Testifying under the guidance of Sergeant 9939 Mohamed Lahai, witness and mother of the victim, Isata Kamara, provided a poignant account of the events leading to her son's death.
Kamara narrated that on December 22, 2024, her son left home to sell soap in town, bidding her goodbye and receiving her wishes for a safe journey.
As time passed without his return, her concern grew. By 2 PM, with no communication from him, she attempted to reach him via his mobile phone, but received no response. It was not until around 4 PM that she received a call from the chief of Banana Water with alarming news about her son.
Hastening to the chief’s residence, Kamara received further distressing information but did not find her son there. Increasingly anxious, she proceeded to the Congo Cross police station, where her worst fears were confirmed.
There, she found her son in critical condition, with blood oozing from his mouth, nose, and anus, and water seeping from his waist. He had severe scars across his body.
The police provided a medical request and instructed her to take her son to the hospital. Before leaving, investigators noted the recovery of a bag belonging to her son, containing 95,000 Leones, although his mobile phone was missing.
They initially took him to Satellite Hospital on Kinharman Road, but were later referred to Connaught Hospital. Tragically, within minutes of arrival, her son succumbed to his injuries.
Overwhelmed with grief, Kamara was later taken to Waterloo, where she provided a statement to the police and arranged for her son's burial at Waterloo Cemetery.
She confirmed to the court that she could present her son's bag if requested.
The witness was cross-examined by C.J. Luseni, Esq.
Magistrate Kekura denied bail for both defendants and remanded them to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned until February 24, 2025.
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