Magistrate Santigie Sends Accused to Female Correctional Facility

By Mamajah Jalloh

In an ongoing murder trial, Kashopeh Smith and her daughter Remi Smith were remanded by Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Thursday, October 31, 2024, regarding the alleged murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.

The accused made their second court appearance, facing four counts: murder contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1816, as repealed and replaced by Section 1 of the Schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022; perverting the course of justice; misprision of felony; and other related offenses.

According to the indictments, on September 2, 2024, at No. 37 Carr Street, Hastings, Freetown, the first accused, Kashopeh Smith, is alleged to have murdered Superintendent Coker. The prosecution claims that Kashopeh, aware of the circumstances surrounding the murder, fabricated evidence to pervert the course of justice.

It is further alleged that Remi Smith, between September 1 and 2, 2024, knowing that her mother had committed murder, unlawfully concealed the crime. Additionally, it is alleged that Remi also fabricated evidence related to the circumstances of the murder.

When the charges were read, no plea was entered by the accused.

The lead prosecutor, ASP Wellington, presented witness Christian Coker, who resides at #82 Mackomock Street, Hastings, and confirmed that he knew the deceased as his uncle. Christian recognized the accused as church members and recounted events from September 2, 2024. He stated that the deceased left home early in the morning and returned at around 10:00 PM. Shortly after, he heard a commotion and learned from a neighbor, Musu Kanu, that his uncle had died. Upon investigating, he found the deceased covered with a bedspread. Christian testified that he later changed his clothing and made a statement to the police.

Lead defense counsel Claudius Campbell cross-examined the witness.

Magistrate Bangura denied bail and remanded the accused to the Female Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to November 6, 2024, for further proceedings.