Court Denies Bail to Mousa Sewa in Ongoing Murder Trial

Mousa Sewa, a 34-year-old businessman, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at Pademba Road Court No. 2, where he faces charges of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as repealed and replaced by Section 1 (a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2022 (Act No. 6 of 2022).

The charge alleges that on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Mankneh Qcell pole, in Makeni City, Bomboli, in the Northern Province, Sewa unlawfully murdered Massah Massaquoi.

When the charge was read to the accused, no plea was taken. The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington, called its sixth witness, Marie Mansaray, a farmer from Makeni. Marie Mansaray testified that she knew both the deceased and the accused as neighbors. She recalled that on the day of the incident, August 18, 2024, she was returning from cutting grass when the accused called her. Upon arriving, she found the deceased, Massah Massaquoi, lying in distress. The deceased informed her that she was not feeling well.

Mansaray then contacted the accused’s brother, Mohamed, who arrived with a motorbike. Together with another individual, they transported Massaquoi to the hospital. Unfortunately, Mansaray later received news that the deceased had passed away. She subsequently made a statement to the police regarding the incident.

During cross-examination by the defense lawyer, A.M. Kamara Esq., the witness’s testimony was scrutinized, but the details remained largely consistent.

Magistrate Santigie Bangura denied bail and ordered that the accused be remanded in the male correctional facility in Freetown.

The case was adjourned to December 17, 2024, for further proceedings.