Mother & Daughter in jail for alleged Murder Of Police Superintendent

By Feima Sesay

Mother, Kashopeh Smith and daughter Remi Smith were on Monday 28 October 2024 sent on remand by magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba road court No2 over the alleged murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.

The accused persons who made their first appearance in court were arraigned on four counts charges of murder contrary to section 1 of the offences against the persons Act 1816as repealed and replaced by section 1 of the schedule of the abolition of the death penalty Act 2021, Act No 6 of 2022, Perverting the course of justice contrary to law, Misprison of felony contrary to law and other related offences .

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 well knowing the circumstances leading to the murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker that occured on Monday 2nd September 2024 and thereafter fabricated 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 has committed an offence of murder and she unlawfully concealed the commission of the said felony.

On count four , it said that the accused Remi Smith well knowing the circumstances leading to the murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker that occured on Monday 2nd September 2024 and thereafter fabricated evidence with intent to pervert the course of justice .

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

The lead prosecutor ASP Wellington informed the court that the case was a fresh one and that the witnesses were absent and he was asking for a short adjournment date to bring her witnesses.

The lead defense Lawyer Claudius Campbell in reply to the prosecution requested for an adjournment expressed disappointment that the accused has been in police cell for a very long time and for justice to prevail he said they needed to expedite the matter.

Magistrate Bangura however agreed with him and adjourned the matter to 31st October 2024 for further hearing and the accused persons were sent on remand at the Correctional Center.