Fire Force Officer Remanded For Alleged Manslaughter

By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura

38-Year-old Abdul Lahai, a Fire Force Officer, appears before Magistrate Sahr Kekura of Pademba Road Court No.1 and was Remanded at the Male Correctional Centre for manslaughter.

The accused faced seven counts including manslaughter, dangerous driving, careless and irresponsible driving and failing to take vehicle for examination.

According to the police on the 11th of January 2023, at 41b Oneil Street, off Albert Academy, around 200 hours along Main Motor Road Brookfield, Freetown, Abdul Lahai, the driver of Nissan Sentra Car with registration number ANC 746, drove the vehicle dangerously, leading to unlawful killing of Hannah Sowa of No. 1 Hill Station, Ezekiel Maturi, Sulaiman Kamara, and Abubakarr Joseph Kabia sustained injuries in the accident.

Magistrate Kekura had previously admonished the State Prosecutor for not presenting any formal witnesses in court, in response, the Prosecutor brought Constable 10628 Somanor Saidu Turay from the Traffic Investigation Unit at the Western Police Station, at Adelaide Street, Freetown as a formal witness.

However, during the testimony, the Prosecutor became confused in naming some individuals in the file.

Magistrate Kekura suggested a short adjournment for the Prosecutor for better preparation.

Defence Counsel, Chernor Kamara applied for bail on behalf of Abdul Lahai, citing section 79(2and3) Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965, despite the application, Magistrate Kekura denied him bail and the accused was Remanded at the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to January 26th 2024.