By Elizabeth Kamara
Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No. 2 has committed Hawanatu Hawa Koroma to the High Court for trial after she was accused of pouring fuel on her husband, Nabieu Bangura, and setting him ablaze, leading to his death.
Koroma was arraigned on a single count of murder, contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1816, as repealed and replaced by Section 1(a) of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act of 2021 (Act No. 6 of 2022).
The charge sheet states that the alleged incident occurred on November 22, 2024, at the back of Leicester Peak Junction in Freetown.
During her first court appearance, no plea was taken. Prosecuting the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led five witnesses before the court.
In his ruling, Magistrate Bangura stated that due to the indictable nature of the offense, a preliminary investigation was required to determine if sufficient evidence had been presented for the accused to stand trial at the High Court.
After reviewing the testimony of all five witnesses, the magistrate concluded that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, particularly as multiple witnesses testified that the accused poured petrol on the deceased and set him on fire.
“In pursuance of Section 120 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965, I hereby commit the accused to the High Court for trial,” Magistrate Bangura ruled.
The accused was represented by defense lawyer A.N.D. Musa Esq.
