Gloucester Village Headman, Fredrick Hanciles, testified on Wednesday, 17th September 2024, before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Court No. 2 in Freetown regarding an alleged murder that occurred at Gloucester Village, Mountain Rural District.
The case involves the death of motorbike rider Alfred Jusu, who was allegedly murdered by the accused, Ibrahim Samura on 25th May 2024.
The accused is facing a charge of murder, which is now prosecuted under Section 1(a) of the Schedule to the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, Act No. 6 of 2022 that replaces the former charge outlined in Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
During his testimony, Headman Hanciles confirmed his familiarity with both the accused and the deceased, recalling the events of the morning of 25th May. He explained that while at home, a woman on a motorbike approached him, shouting that she had seen a man lying motionless near the first bridge in Gloucester Village and that the man appeared to be dead.
Upon hearing this, Hanciles rushed to the scene, where he discovered the lifeless body of Alfred Jusu. He immediately began asking around for information about the cause of death but received no useful details from bystanders. With no other option, he contacted the ACON Police Station to report the incident.
Later, Hanciles accompanied police officers back to the crime scene, where they conducted interviews and further investigations. The body of the deceased was taken to Connaught Mortuary for examination. Sometime after the investigation commenced, Hanciles learned that the police had arrested the accused in connection with the murder.
The accused, who was not represented by legal counsel in court, has been remanded at the Male Correctional Center in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to 24th September 2024 for further proceedings.
By: Mohamed J. Kargbo
