Woman Accused of Setting Husband on Fire Appears in Court

By Mamajah Jalloh

In a highly charged murder trial, 27-year-old trader Hawanatu Hawa Koroma appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Koroma faces a charge of murder under Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).

According to the police charge sheet, the incident occurred on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Leicester Peak Junction, Hill Station, Freetown. Koroma is accused of murdering her husband, Nabieu Bangura.

During the hearing, no plea was taken, and Koroma was not legally represented. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sorie Conteh, prosecuting, led the testimony of the third prosecution witness, Saidu Bangura, a trader and elder brother of the deceased.

Witness Testimony
Saidu Bangura testified that he was in Kamakwei on the day of the incident when he received a phone call from a family friend, Moses Kamara, informing him that Nabieu had been severely burned. Upon rushing to Connaught Hospital in Freetown, Saidu met his brother and inquired about what had transpired.

“The deceased told me it was the accused who set him on fire,” Saidu said. He explained that Nabieu alleged the incident began with a disagreement after the accused confronted him about having a girlfriend. To avoid further argument, Nabieu decided to sleep in their shop.

While he was sleeping, Nabieu reportedly felt liquid being poured on him and woke up, assuming it was water. “The accused then struck a match and set him ablaze, locking the door behind her,” Saidu narrated.

Neighbors reportedly broke down the door and rushed Nabieu to the Emergency Hospital before he was transferred to Connaught Hospital. Medical staff informed the family that Nabieu had suffered severe burns covering 90% of his body. He succumbed to his injuries a week later.

Saidu confirmed witnessing his brother’s postmortem examination and stated that photographs and a death certificate were produced and tendered in court as evidence.

Court Proceedings and Ruling
Magistrate Bangura denied bail due to the seriousness of the charge and ordered that Koroma be remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown.

The trial has been adjourned to January 28, 2025, for further proceedings.