By: Audrey Raymonda John
A senior government nurse, Mariatu Bangura has been dragged to court on bench warrant, for failing to appear before magistrate Sahr Kekura of Ross Road court No.1 and was granted bail in the sum of one hundred thousand Leones after a lengthy plea by her lawyer.
The accused Mariatu Bangura is before the court for redress on private summon file on five count charges of Abusive language, intimidation, public Insult and provocation, common assault and Threatening languages.
Complainant Joya Reevs alleged that on the 15th March 2023, at No. 10 New Site Jui, the accused Mariatu Bangura did make used of abusive languages against her with intent to provoke her to commit a breach of the peace.
On count two and three, the accused was alleged to have unlawfully intimidated the complainant and used insulting and provocative words against her.
On count four and five, the accused was alleged to have assaulted and threatened complainant.
The accused who was on bench warrant when questioned, informed the Bench that she was absent on the first day the matter was charged to court because she was on duty helping the doctor she is attached to perform an Operation.
Defense Counsel M. Turay applied for the Bench warrant against his client to be rescinded. He further applied for bail for and on behalf of his client on the grounds that she is a Sierra Leone resident in Freetown. Among other things, defense counsel said if granted bail, his client would not interfere with the witness or witness. He made the application Citing section 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.
Having heard the application for bail made by defense counsel, Magistrate Sahr Kekura however, granted the accused bail in the sum of one hundred thousand Leones with a surety in like sum. He said the surety should produce an identification card depicting his or her address in Freetown. Magistrate Sahr Kekura further ordered that the bail of the accused to be approved by the Deputy Acting Registrar and adjourned the matter to the 10th of May 2023, for complainant to testify.