The High Court No.2 in Freetown is set to determine the fate of N’tuma Bangura (Mrs. Mansaray), a State Registered Nurse (SRN) and mother, accused of the murder of her legally wedded spouse Mahmoud Mansaray. The verdict is expected on March 4th, 2024.

During the recent hearing, senior State Prosecutor Umu Sumaray and Defense Counsel Charles I. Williams presented their final arguments before Justice Sulaiman Bah. The court has adjourned for the jury to deliberate and for sentencing in case of conviction.

In her closing statement, State Prosecutor Umu Sumaray recounted the indictment of the accused on September 11, 2020, for one count of murder. She detailed the circumstances surrounding the death of Mahmoud Mansaray on March 30, 2020, at the 34 Military Hospital. The deceased, a 5ft 8in man, succumbed to a stab wound inflicted by a kitchen knife.

The prosecution's case included testimonies from ten witnesses, including Government Pathologist Dr. Simeon Owiz Koroma, who confirmed that Mahmoud Mansaray lost 8 liters of blood due to a 4-centimeter stab wound, which was inflicted by another person.

Prosecutor Sumaray asserted that the incident was not an act of self-defense but a premeditated act of revenge by the accused.

Defense Counsel Charles I. Williams countered that the accused had previously reported instances of domestic violence by the deceased to the military and the Congo Cross Police Station. He argued that the accused was acting in self-defense to prevent the deceased from carrying out his threats to kill her.

The deceased, a Military Personnel formerly attached to the Armed Forces Joint Medical Unit at the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown, was portrayed by the defense as the aggressor in the relationship.

The court will now deliberate on the evidence presented before rendering a verdict.