In order to expedite the trial of the late Khadija M. Saccoh, the High Court of Freetown presided by Justice John Bosco Alieu has on Monday 8th February 2021 empanelled the 12-man jury and started the matter proper with witnesses.
Addressing the jurors, state counsel Joseph A.K. Sesay noted that for them to prove their case of murder alleged to have been committed by Mariama Sajor Barrie, the first accused, and Ibrahim Bah, the second accused, they must prove four key elements, among them: establish that both accused were sane on 17th June 2020 when they allegedly committed the act; they must prove that both accused did something to the victim that led to her demise; that both accused had the said intention of committing the act; etc.
Sesay told the court that “Khadija M. Saccoh is no more,” blaming her 17th June 2020 death in Freetown on the aforesaid persons.
Justice John Bosco Alieu later cautioned the jurors led by Moiya Farma as their foreman to go according to the evidence in court. He said they should keep an open mind in such a case, and their verdict should be based on the evidence at the end of the trial.
“This is not a court of sympathy but a court of justice. I will not go beyond the law,” he cautioned.
Leading his first witness, the prosecuting lawyer ushered the father of the deceased, Abu Bakarr Saccoh, to the witness stand. Mr. Saccoh recognised the first accused Sajor Barrie as the sister of his ex, and the second accused as the son of the first accused.
He noted that the deceased was his daughter, whom he said passed away on his birthday. The witness told the court that he was in the US when he got a call from his aunt, Isatu Jabbie Kabba, about his daughter’s health.
Mr. Saccoh said 10 minutes after dropping the call, his aunt called again informing him about Khadija’s death.
He said he told his aunt not to bury the child until further investigation was done on the reason for the death of the 5 year old, adding that his aunt refused the idea due to her religious belief.
As a result of her refusal, the witness said he contacted his friend, one Emmanuel, to go to the police and file a report on the ‘mysterious’ death of his daughter, which he did.
The witness added that by the time he left the shores of Sierra Leone, the deceased was staying with her mother, Binta Bah, at Smart Farm. But due to persistent nightmares his daughter was experiencing at that place, her mother forced him to relocate her and the child.
Mr. Saccoh said he told Binta Bah to move to his aunt, Isatu Jabbie Kabba’s home at 29 Main Motor Road, Wilberforce with his daughter, and transfer the furniture to his warehouse. He added that Binta stayed with his aunt for two months, and later took Khadija to his younger sister’s at Lab Lane.
He said Binta told his sister that she needed her own space with her kid, for which he sent between Le7 and 9 million for the apartment she rented at 25 Spur Road. He also told the court that he spoke to his daughter before her death, as she was in the custody of the first accused.
The accused were represented by lawyer Alhaji M. Kamara, and on trial for conspiracy and murder contrary to law, which allegation they denied.
Meanwhile, the matter was witnessed by their family members and some child activists, as other witnesses also testified.
MB/09/02/2021
By mohamedj.bah@awokonewspaper.sl