By Mamajah Jalloh
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Kashopeh Smith and her daughter Remi Smith appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No.2, where they were sent to remand over the alleged murder of Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker.
The two accused were arraigned on four counts, including murder, perverting the course of justice, and misprison of felony. The charges relate to the tragic events of September 2, 2024, when Superintendent Coker was reportedly murdered at No. 37 Carr Street, Hastings, Freetown.
According to the indictment:
- Count One: Kashopeh Smith is accused of murdering Superintendent Arnold Adeyemi Coker at the given location.
- Count Two: Kashopeh Smith is alleged to have fabricated evidence with the intent to obstruct justice.
- Count Three: Remi Smith is accused of concealing the crime, knowing that her mother had committed murder.
- Count Four: Remi Smith also faces charges for fabricating evidence to pervert the course of justice.
During the hearing, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joan M.S Bull presented Alhaji Macarthy, a prosecution witness, who testified about the events on September 2, 2024. Macarthy, a longtime acquaintance of the accused and the deceased, recalled his interaction with Kashopeh Smith on the morning of the murder. He stated that he was called by the first accused, Kashopeh, who requested assistance with a motorbike and expressed concerns about a person named Francis knowing about her affairs.
Macarthy further testified that he witnessed the dead body of Superintendent Coker being loaded onto a bike outside the first accused’s house, identifying the victim as the deceased.
Two days after the incident, Kashopeh Smith reportedly contacted Macarthy, claiming she had been invited to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to make a statement. She allegedly warned Macarthy that anyone who disclosed details about the incident would face serious consequences.
C Campbell and K Thompson cross-examined the prosecution witness during the session.
Magistrate Bangura denied bail to the accused and remanded them to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to November 26, 2024, for further proceedings.
