By Elizabeth Kamara
Hawanatu Hawa Koroma, a trader, made her fourth appearance before Magistrate Santige Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing allegations of setting her husband, Nabieu Bangura, on fire, resulting in his death.
Koroma is charged with one count of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1816, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Schedule of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022.
According to the charge sheet, the incident took place on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the back of Leicester Peak Junction, Hill Station, Freetown, where Koroma allegedly murdered her husband.
Testifying for the prosecution, Detective Police Constable Hassan Bangura (No. 13274), attached to the Scientific Support Unit at the CID Headquarters, provided detailed evidence regarding his role in the investigation.
Bangura recounted visiting the hospital where Nabieu Bangura’s body had been taken for a post-mortem examination. He explained that on Monday, November 25, 2024, he attended the autopsy, conducted by Dr. Owizz Koroma at Connaught Hospital in Freetown.
Before the autopsy began, relatives of the deceased identified the body in the presence of both the post-mortem and investigation teams. During the procedure, Bangura photographed the remains using his digital camera to document the forensic findings.
He later returned to his office, printed the photographs, and compiled them into a photographic monologue, which was tendered to the court as Exhibit F.
The matter was adjourned to Monday, February 17, 2025, for further hearings.
