By Mamajah Jalloh
The high-profile murder trial of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia took a significant turn during cross-examination at Pademba Road Court No.1 on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The trial, presided over by Magistrate Sahr Kekura, is focused on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021.
Mattia’s co-accused—commercial bike rider Morlia Kamara and driver Umaru Timbo—face the same charges alongside journalist Joseph Mendel Lamin, popularly known as “Manager Dust.” The prosecution alleges that on January 15, 2025, at Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD) Radio Station in Kissi Town, Waterloo, the accused conspired to murder Mattia.
During cross-examination, defense counsel M. Baratay highlighted inconsistencies regarding how statements were obtained from the accused. The prosecution witness confirmed that he, along with Inspectors Matthew and Foday, were present when statements were recorded but revealed that only the first accused was present at the initial recording; the second and third accused were brought in later.
The witness admitted that no lawyer was present during the initial interrogation but noted that one arrived after some time. The defense suggested that this late-arriving lawyer did not provide active legal representation during the early stages of questioning.
A document marked Exhibit B1–25 was presented as evidence. The witness testified that the document was obtained from a colleague and was only in his custody, not authored by him. He confirmed taking a charge statement from the accused, but the State Counsel interrupted, stating that no formal charge statement existed in the case file.
Following procedural confusion caused by the defense counsel’s initial request for adjournment and subsequent decision to proceed, Magistrate Kekura intervened, citing procedural irregularities. He ordered the trial to be adjourned to May 27, 2025, for further hearing.
