By Mamajah Jalloh
Justice Santigie Sorie Bangura of the High Court in Koidu City, Kono District, has sentenced Amos Aiah Daniel to a total of 215 years’ imprisonment after convicting him of conspiracy, murder and wounding with intent in the rape and killing of a minor, Messie Bangura.
His mother, Theresa Konomanyie, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after being convicted of conspiracy. She was, however, acquitted and discharged on the murder charge.
The two were standing trial on three counts of conspiracy, murder and wounding with intent in connection with the death of the child on 4 March 2026 at No. 9 Sandor Street, Koidu City.
The prosecution alleged that Amos took the child into his room, where she was later found unconscious following an extensive search by relatives and community members. He attempted to flee the scene in the early hours of the morning but was apprehended by residents. The child was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
In his judgment, Justice Bangura noted that the prosecution called five witnesses, including investigating police officers and a medical expert, and tendered crime scene photographs, laboratory reports, caution and charge statements, and the post-mortem report.
The judge said Amos admitted in his caution statement that he killed the child by stuffing a towel into her mouth after sexually assaulting her and confirmed that he had locked her inside the room. The court held that his confession, together with his guilty plea, established his responsibility for the offences.
With regard to Theresa Konomanyie, the court found that her conduct, including preventing residents from forcing to open the room and interfering with a child who identified Amos, supported the prosecution’s case that she conspired with her son. However, the judge ruled that there was no evidence proving she directly participated in the murder and therefore acquitted her on that count.
During mitigation, defence counsel Alpha Osman Kamara urged the court to temper justice with mercy by submitting that both convicts were first-time offenders and deserving of leniency.
In sentencing, Justice Bangura described Amos’ actions as “preposterous,” stating that he had deprived the child’s parents and Sierra Leone of a life that could have contributed meaningfully to the nation’s development.
The court sentenced both convicts to 15 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy. Amos Aiah Daniel was further sentenced to 120 years for murder and 80 years for wounding with intent, bringing his total sentence to 215 years’ imprisonment
