The trial of Lancinet Traoré, Pépé Monemou, and Yacouba Condé, who are accused of complicity in the escape of Tommy Mathew from the Sino-Guinean hospital on October 18, continued at the Dixinn Court of First Instance. Traoré, a prison guard, explained that on the day of the escape, he and his colleagues were responsible for monitoring the inmates at the hospital. He claimed that they were stationed on the ground floor and only had access to the rooms during visiting hours.
Traoré's testimony raised questions from the prosecution, particularly regarding how he and his colleague could monitor two inmates, one of whom was on the second floor, while they were on the ground floor. Traoré remained silent when asked this question. He also denied any involvement in negotiations that may have facilitated Mathew's escape, stating that he had never met the inmate before. The prosecution and judge also discussed a video that Traoré mentioned, which the judge ordered be added to the case file.
Pépé Monemou, another prison guard, provided a different account of the events. He stated that he was responsible for monitoring a different inmate, Tounkara, who was still hospitalized. Monemou explained that he was called to the hospital on October 18 and relieved his colleague, who was monitoring Mathew. He then claimed to have had a phone conversation with his superior, Ibrahima Sory Soumah, who asked about the location of his "package," referring to the inmate.
Monemou's testimony highlighted the normal procedures for monitoring inmates, stating that a guard should remain constantly with the inmate under their supervision. He also noted that the hospital room's configuration, particularly the lack of window protection, could allow an inmate to attempt an escape. When questioned about contradictions between his and Traoré's statements, Monemou insisted that his description reflected the standard procedures for monitoring inmates.
Yacouba Condé, a hospital staff member, testified that he only saw Traoré with Mathew once, when he called Traoré at Mathew's request. Condé stated that Mathew had given him a phone number to call someone to buy bread, and when he called, Traoré came to the room. Condé also described Mathew's escape, stating that the inmate left his room, entered another room, and escaped through a window, according to the hospital's security footage.
The trial will continue with a judicial transport to the Sino-Guinean hospital scheduled for November 12, 2026, to further investigate the circumstances of Mathew's escape. The court also ordered the production of additional evidence, including the video mentioned by Traoré. All defendants have denied any wrongdoing, and the prosecution continues to investigate the incident.
Key points in the case include the defendants' claims that they followed standard procedures for monitoring inmates and the prosecution's questions about the feasibility of these procedures given the hospital's layout. The case has also raised concerns about the security measures in place at the Sino-Guinean hospital.
Key points
- The trial continues with a judicial transport to the hospital scheduled for November 12, 2026.
- All defendants have denied any wrongdoing in the escape of Tommy Mathew.
- The prosecution is investigating the incident, including the hospital's security measures and the defendants' claims about their procedures.
