Augustine Bangura the alleged murderer of the British lady
The trial of Augustine Bangura, accused of murdering a British woman by striking her with a hammer, continued with testimony from a police officer serving as the fourth prosecution witness.
State counsel M. Singhateh represented the prosecution, while defense attorney F.T. Saho appeared for the accused.
The officer testified that he received a call log printout from his superior, DPO Kujabi, who instructed him to track a highlighted phone number believed to be linked to the suspect. Acting on this directive, he identified the number as the last to have communicated with the deceased.
Following an extensive manhunt, the officer successfully apprehended the suspect in Fajara and escorted him to the Brikama Police Station. During questioning, the suspect initially denied any involvement, but later confessed to the crime. He admitted to killing the victim, burying her body after the act.
The officer further stated that during a search of the suspect’s residence, law enforcement recovered 80,000 dalasis, which the suspect claimed he had taken from the victim’s house. A key linked to the crime scene was also found in his possession.
Investigators later visited the victim’s residence, where the suspect provided a detailed account of the murder, describing how he struck her with a hammer. The murder weapon was subsequently retrieved.
The officer also revealed that the suspect pointed out the exact location where he had taken the money. Further investigation led to the discovery of several stolen items, including a golden Samsung tablet, a black smartwatch, two black Samsung mobile phones (models A10 and A14), a Dell laptop, a Canon camera with accessories, two memory cards (16GB and 4GB), an HP laptop, and a small crossbody handbag.
Several of these items, including the golden Samsung tablet, smartwatch, mobile phones, Dell laptop, Canon camera, memory cards, and HP laptop, were recovered from Saikou Samusa at the Bakoteh shopping mall.
The officer concluded his testimony by confirming that he had documented all findings in a formal investigative report.During cross-examination, defense lawyer F.T. Sonko asked the witness whether he was familiar with both the accused and the deceased. The witness confirmed, “Yes, I know them.”
Lawyer Sonko pressed further, “Do you know if the accused and the deceased were friends?”
The witness replied, “I don’t know,”
When asked if he knew whether the accused worked for the deceased, he responded, “According to him.”
Lawyer F.T. Sonko continued, “So, it’s normal for an employee and employer to be communicating?”
The witness answered, “Yes.”
Defense lawyer F.T. Sonko questioned the witness on whether any names had surfaced during the investigation, indicating a possible conspiracy involving the accused. The witness confirmed that they had.
Sonko then asked if the officer was aware that the fire service had used a ladder to retrieve the deceased’s body. The officer responded, “I’m not aware.”
The defense further pressed the witness on when he had visited the deceased’s residence. The officer stated, “I can’t remember.””So, you visited the deceased house first,” Lawyer F.T Sonko
The witness explained that investigators first visited the accused to collect evidence, including the key to the deceased’s house. They then proceeded to Bakoteh to recover the stolen items before finally visiting the victim’s residence.
The case has been adjourned to March 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM for the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness.