By Ragan M. Conteh
Dr Alijsious Kalawa, a government pathologist, on Monday 27th May 2024 has tendered a postmortem evidence to Magistrate George Samai of the Kambia Magistrate Court.
He tendered his evidence in court during the hearing on the case regarding the death of Kadiatu Bangura allegedly in the Bondo bush at Bubuya Village, Kambia District in the Northwest of Sierra Leone.
Tendering the evidence, the pathologist, Dr Kalawa stated in court that he was contacted by the state police to undertake a postmortem for the deaths of late Kadiatu Bangura.
He said the body was exhumed in the presence of the senior crime officer, ‘grave diggers’ and among many others.
Dr Kalawa revealed that after they exhumed the deceased, during the postmortem, he discovered five pants with blood oozing around the genitalia part of the deceased.
He maintained that they carry out the examination at the grave site.
When asked on the question of whether he is qualified, Dr Kalawa told the defence and the court that he is trained and qualified pathologist, adding that the alleged death of Kadiatu Bangura is his first case since his qualification as pathologist.
However, during the start of the examination of Dr Kalawa, the Defence Council headed by Lawyer Bayraytay said they were not questioning the qualification of Dr Kalawa as pathologist but needed the submissions of his certificates which qualify him as a pathologist.
The defence council pleaded to Magistrate George Samai for an adjournment until Dr Kalawa submits his certificates which qualify him as a pathologist.
The defence council said the examination of the pathologist Dr Kalala will continue after he shows proof of his qualifications.
However, because of the sensitivity of the postmortem evidence, Magistrate George Samai adjourned for Monday 3rd June 2024.