In a dramatic turn of events in the murder case of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia, a station manager and two others have been remanded after witness testimony painted a damning picture of alleged complicity.
Station Manager Joseph Mendel Lamin (37), along with Morlia Kamara (29), a bike rider, and Umaru Timbo (35), a driver, appeared for their second hearing before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.
The defendants are facing charges of 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 15th, 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.
During the hearing on February 19th, 2025, the first prosecution witness, Shebora Bangura, a staff member at VOPAD Radio Station, testified. Bangura stated that he knew the deceased, Samuel Brima Mattia, as his former boss and worked closely with the first accused, Joseph Mendel Lamin, the station manager.
Bangura recounted that on January 15th, 2025, he arrived at the office at 7:00 AM and found Mattia already present.
The two worked together until the evening. Around 8:00 PM, Lamin inquired about Mattia's whereabouts.
Bangura informed him that Mattia was likely in his office. Lamin later returned, claiming he could not find Mattia and instructed Bangura to inform him when Mattia returned.
When Mattia later arrived, Bangura notified Lamin via WhatsApp. Lamin then entered Mattia’s office and subsequently stated that they were going out to visit someone.
At approximately 9:30 PM, Lamin instructed Bangura to retrieve his phone from his residence behind the office. Upon returning, Lamin asked if he had seen anyone on the road, which Bangura denied.
Lamin then reportedly commented that "the woman at home is safe."
The following day, January 16th, 2025, Bangura arrived at the office to find it locked.
Assuming Mattia had not returned, he went to Lamin’s residence to borrow the key. Lamin provided only the front door key. Later that day, Mattia’s family arrived at the office searching for him. Unable to locate him, they reported the matter to the Kissy Town Police Station.
Subsequently, both Bangura and Lamin were taken into police custody for questioning.
The court has adjourned the case to Friday, February 21st, 2025, for further hearings.
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