By Zakaria Kemo Konteh
In a day like today, we celebrate the triumph of justice and affirm the condemnation of a convicted criminal. We remember the life of a promising young professional tragically and brutally cut short in the service of his country. We rejoice with Koro’s family as they come to terms with today’s guilty verdict, commiserate with them for their long agonizing journey and thank them for their unwavering faith and tenacity in pursuit of justice. We hope this marks an important step towards closure and healing.
As a convict of capital murder, Yankuba Touray is deserving of whatever punishment prescribed by law under the penalty of his conviction. He was given a chance to defend himself against charges through a transparent due process. His victim, Ousman Koro Ceesay, was not accorded that chance and that humanity. Instead, he was bludgeoned to death leaving the entire nation stunned and a family in horror for decades.That kind of horrendous crime is beyond everything human and everything we stand for as a people and deserves no mercy.
To Yankuba Touray’s collaborators and accomplices in the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, you are being put on unmistakable notice: That your day of reckoning is coming faster than you can ever imagine and you will neither hide nor escape from the firm, unyielding and tenacious arm of justice. Your days of impunity are numbered. When you kill our people, we will find you and we will bring you to justice no matter how long it takes.
May Koro’s soul continue to rest in peace. Ameen
