‘I found the accused covered with bedspread.’ These are words of a nephew who narrates his ordeals in a killing case.

The explanation continues that a mother Kashopeh Smith and daughter Remi Smith were on Monday 31st October 2024 sent on remand by Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No2 over the alleged murder of one Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.

The accused made their second appearances in court and were arraigned on four counts charges of murder contrary to Section 1 of the Offences Against the Persons Act of 1816.

They were given other charges based on other laws’ provisions in the country.

According to the indictments on count one, the accused Kashopeh Smith on Monday 2nd September 2024, at No 37 Carr Street Hastings, Freetown, murdered superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.

The police further alleged on counts two that the first accused Kashopeh Smith on the same date and place, knew well the circumstances leading to the murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker who was  killed on Monday 2nd September 2024. But the accused attempted to fabricate evidence with intent to pervert the course of justice.

It was also alleged on counts three that the accused Remi Smith  between 1st  and 2nd September 2024 at the same address knowing well that her mother Kashopeh Smith had committed an offence of murder but she unlawfully concealed the commission of the said felony.

While counts four added that the accused Remi Smith well knowing the circumstances leading to the murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker which occurred on Monday 2nd September 2024 bht attempted to fabricate evidence with intent to pervert the course of justice .

When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.

The lead prosecutor ASP Wellington led in prosecution witness number one Christian Coker who is residing at 82 Mackomock Street at Hastings.

He is a factory worker and he knew the deceased Mr. Arnold Adeyemi Coker as his uncle.

He recognized too the accused as his Church members and so he recalled on the 2nd September 2024 of something that  transpired.

He said the deceased left home very early in the morning at around 11:00 am o’clock and he came back at 10:00pm within five minutes.

Upon return, he came out of his room and said he was going out again and so he left and went to Kosso Town area.

The witness said he went to bed and slept until morning hours without the deceased coming home in the morning hours on that day.

Only that he heard some huge noise by one Musu Kanu who told him that his uncle the deceased had died.

He said he was pointed to the deceased who was covered with a bedspread.

The lead defence counsel Claudius Campbell cross-examined the witness and magistrate Bangura refused bail and sent the accused persons to the female correctional facility in Freetown.

The matter was adjourned to 6th November 2024.