October 12, 2016 By Hawa Amara
Police Prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent, Samuel Kamara yesterday applied that a bench warrant be slammed on Government Pathologist, Dr. Semion Owizz Koroma for failing to testify in a manslaughter matter involving one Samuel John, who allegedly killed Evson Newstead.
The accused, Samuel John was before Magistrate Dr. Abou Bhakarr Binneh-Kamara of the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No. 1 on one count of manslaughter, contrary to law.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused on Tuesday 12 April, 2016 at No.5 Frey Street, unlawfully killed the deceased, Evson Newstead.
Defense counsel, R.A.D Jones informed the court that the prosecution has failed to produce witnesses on fourteen consecutive sittings even though the allegation levied against the accused was serious.
He applied that since the prosecution has failed to produce witnesses, their case should be deemed close and withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Dr.Binneh-Kamara granted the prosecution’s application and adjourned the matter to 20 October, 2016 for them to summon their witnesses in court.
However, the accused was granted bail in the sum of Le50 million plus two sureties in like sum, adding that sureties must produce National Identity Cards and must be residents in the Western AreaHe said going forward, we need to increase our efforts to end child marriage, female genital mutilation and other harmful practices affecting girls, noting we need to give girls unfettered access to comprehensive sexuality education, remove laws that impede their access to information, services and choices, provide them with comprehensive health services, including contraceptive services, and most critically, keep them in school — whether they live in rural or urban areas, whether they are pregnant or not, whether they are married or single.