A key prosecution witness in the ongoing murder trial of journalist Samuel Brima Mattia has told the High Court in Freetown that one of the accused persons allegedly confessed he had been contracted to help kill the deceased.
Elizabeth Mattia, sister of the late Samuel Brima Mattia, testified before Justice Mark Ngegba at the Law Court Building on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
She said the second accused, Morlai Kamara, informed her in November 2024, two months before the journalist’s death, that the first accused, Joseph Mendel Lamin, had asked him to find someone to assist in killing her brother.
Led in evidence by State Prosecutor Aisha Dusu Kargbo, the witness said Kamara approached her at her home, requesting a private discussion concerning the deceased. Sensing the gravity of the matter, she said she activated a recording on her phone before he began speaking.
According to her testimony, once the conversation ended, she forwarded the audio recording to her brother and urged him to report the matter to the police. However, she said the deceased told her he would first inform his adopted mother.
The court heard that about a week later, she observed that her brother appeared distressed. Upon inquiry, he allegedly told her that Joseph Mendel Lamin had been persistently pressuring him over money generated at the radio station where he worked.
She further stated that the deceased said his adopted mother had advised him to temporarily suspend his work at the station.
Elizabeth Mattia also recounted events leading to her brother’s disappearance. On January 15, 2025, she said the deceased’s wife alerted her that he was missing and suggested they search for him. They reportedly went to the radio station, where they met Joseph Mendel Lamin outside the premises. She said he told them he had no knowledge of the journalist’s whereabouts.
She testified that the chairman of the station later arrived and invited them into the office before suggesting they proceed to the police station. While at the station, she said, the deceased’s wife received a phone call informing her that his body had been discovered.
Under cross-examination by Mustapha Karim Dauda of the Legal Aid Board, who represents the second and third accused, the witness confirmed that Kamara made the alleged confession at her residence and that another individual identified as Alpha was present.
She acknowledged that she could not produce the audio recording in court but stated that it is currently in police custody.
Joseph Mendel Lamin, identified as the manager of Voice of Peace and Development (VOPAD), is standing trial alongside Morlai Kamara and Umarr Turay. The three men face two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
Counsel for the first accused, Jonathan Abu Kargbo, indicated that he would cross-examine the witness when proceedings resume on March 5, 2026.
The matter has been adjourned to next Thursday for continuation of hearing.
