Kota Kinabalu: The High Court in the trial of a contractor, who was jointly charged with his former reality TV cooking show finalist wife in the murder of their maid, heard that the maid was found lying on her back, partially naked and without shirt in the bathroom of a condominium in Penampang.
Investigating Officer Inspector Anisah Bong Abdullah, 38, who testified before Judge Datuk Dr Lim Hock Leng as the prosecution’s 14th witness, stated in her witness statement on Tuesday that on Dec 13, 2021, at 8.54pm, while on 24-hour duty, she was informed by a personnel on duty at the Penampang Police Station public complaint counter about a police report lodged by Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, who stated that his maid, Nur Afiyah Daeng Danim, 28, a Bugis, was found dead in the toilet.
Anisah said that at 9.29pm on the same day, she and her team proceeded to the scene of the incident at a unit at Amber Tower, Lido Avenue, Jalan Lintas Penampang, to conduct a preliminary investigation.
She said that during the preliminary inspection of the bathroom in the room, a woman was found lying on her back, partially naked and without shirt.
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A doctor from Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) confirmed the death of the deceased at 10.15pm on Dec 13, 2021, said Anisah, adding that at 10.30pm, a forensic team from the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters Criminal Investigation Department, led by Inspector Saizul Farhan Mahali, arrived at the scene to process it.
Earlier, Crime Scene Investigating Officer, Inspector Saizul, 38, who testified as the 13th prosecution witness, stated in his witness statement that the victim, a citizen, who was without shirt and wearing only black trousers, was found in a room with an en suite bathroom, lying in the shower area.
The house which has three bedrooms, was in order, and the room where the body was discovered was in a good and orderly condition, he said.
External examination of the victim, who was approximately 160cm tall, revealed a bruise on the right eye, a wound on the right wrist, and the back of her body appeared burnt and swollen, said Saizul, adding that an examination of the room and bathroom also revealed bloodstains believed to be the victim’s.
His forensic team collected items from the crime scene, among others, blood swabs from various locations: the bottom drawer of the dressing table in the room, the closet door, the bottom of the closet door, the wall inside the closet, the wall of the room, the outer door of the toilet, the wall of the bathroom near the door, and the wall above the mirror in the bathroom.
Meanwhile, Anisah testified further that at 1.35am on Dec, 12, the same year, she seized several items from the incident location namely an Enchen brand hair clipper found on the cupboard in room No. 3, an iron rod discovered in the closet of room No. 3, and two wooden rods located on the veranda outside the kitchen.
Anisah added that on Dec 14, 2021, at 6.10am, she was informed by Penampang police team regarding the arrest of a man — Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos and a woman — Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen and that during the arrests, Insp Saiful also confiscated three mobile phones and three SIM cards from them.
On trial were contractor Mohammad Ambree Yunos @ Unos, 40, and former reality TV cooking show finalist Etiqah Siti Noorashikeen Mohd Sulong, 33, who were jointly accused of murdering one Nur Afiyah Daeng Damin, 28, between Dec 8 and 11, 2021, at a unit in Amber Tower, Lido Avenue Condominium, Penampang.
On Nov 17, 2022, Ambree and Etiqah claimed trial to the charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read together with 34 of the same Code, which carries the death penalty or not less than 30 years jail and not more than 40 years jail, and with no less than 12 strokes of whipping, on conviction.
Testifying further, Anisah said that led by Ambree, Insp. Saiful confiscated several items, including a black toolbox, a black and yellow pair of pliers, a pair of grey slippers, a pair of black gloves with “Ninja” written on them, a bottle of Cocorex bleach, a bottle of Dettol filled with liquid, a white IKEA jug, and a Scotch Brite sponge with a green handle.
She also mentioned that, led by Etiqah, Insp. Saiful confiscated items such as a yellow broom, a maroon Elba jug kettle, a black Elba kettle charger, a green IKEA pair of scissors, and a white chair.
Saizul had processed the seized items and took DNA swabs from them, she added.
In response to a question, Anisah testified that, based on her investigation, the incident scene — Etiqah and Ambree’s house — was in good order with no signs of burglary and noted that only residents with card access could use the elevator to reach their respective units.
Anisah said that six people lived in the unit: Ambree, Etiqah, their three children (the eldest approximately three to four years old, and the twins approximately two years old at the time), and the deceased.
To a question, Anisah confirmed that she was instructed to investigate the alibis of both suspects between Dec 8, 2021, and Dec 12, 2021.
DPP: What did your investigation reveal about Ambree’s alibi, which states that from Dec 11, 2021, to Dec 13, 2021, he was at a resort in Hidden Hill, Kundasang, Ranau?
Witness: My investigation found that, from Dec 11, 2021, to Dec 13, 2021, Ambree and his family were indeed at a resort in Hidden Hill, Kundasang, Ranau.
DPP: What did your investigation reveal about Etiqah’s alibi, which claims that from Dec 11, 2021, to Dec 13, 2021, Etiqah was in Kundasang Hidden Hill with her family?
Witness: My investigation found that based on recordings from family members, confirmed that Etiqah was at Kundasang Hidden Hill on those dates.
State Prosecution Director Nahra Dollah and Deputy Public Prosecutor Dacia Jane Romanus appeared for the prosecution.
Ambree was represented by counsel Datuk Ram Singh while Etiqah was represented Datuk Seri Rakhbir Singh.
Both accused were on court bail.
Trial adjourned to Sept 2.
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