By Fatima Kpaka
Koidu City, Kono District — High Court Judge Justice Santigie Sorie Bangura has sentenced Amos Aiah Daniel to an unprecedented 215 years in prison after convicting him of conspiracy, murder, and wounding with intent in the rape and killing of a minor.
Daniel’s mother, Theresa Konomanyie, was also sentenced to 15 years for conspiracy but acquitted of murder. Both were tried on three counts relating to the death of the child on March 4, 2026, at No. 9 Sandor Street, Koidu City.
According to the prosecution, Daniel lured the child into his room, where she was later found unconscious after a frantic search by relatives and community members. He attempted to flee but was apprehended by residents. The child was rushed to hospital and pronounced dead.
During trial, prosecutors presented five witnesses, including police investigators and a medical expert, alongside crime scene photographs, laboratory reports, caution and charge statements, and the post-mortem report. Daniel admitted in his caution statement that he sexually assaulted the child and killed her by stuffing a towel into her mouth, locking her inside the room. His confession and guilty plea sealed the case against him.
The court also found that Konomanyie obstructed residents from forcing open the room and interfered with a child witness who identified Daniel, establishing her role in the conspiracy. However, Justice Bangura ruled there was no evidence linking her directly to the murder.
In mitigation, defence counsel Alpha Osman Kamara pleaded for leniency, noting both convicts were first-time offenders. But Justice Bangura dismissed the plea, describing Daniel’s actions as “preposterous” and stressing that he had robbed Sierra Leone of a life that could have contributed meaningfully to national development.
Sentencing followed:
- Conspiracy: 15 years each for Daniel and Konomanyie
- Murder: 120 years for Daniel
- Wounding with intent: 80 years for Daniel
This brought Daniel’s total sentence to 215 years’ imprisonment, while his mother will serve 15 years.