By: Audrey Raymonda John
A heated domestic dispute involving members of the Kanneh family has landed them in court, as five individuals Kadiatu Kanneh (housewife), Alhaji Kanneh Jr., Fatima Kanneh, Small Kadiatu Kanneh, and another Kadiatu Kanneh made another appearance before Magistrate Adama Kandeh at Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 4 in Freetown.
The accused are facing six charges, including trespass, abusive language, public insult and provocation, threatening language, larceny, and assault.
According to the charges, on 31st January 2024, at Bai Bureh Village, Grafton, the accused allegedly unlawfully entered the room of complainants Ruth Kumba Gbandawa and Juan Sia Barrie in a manner intended to annoy.
On the second count, the accused are alleged to have used abusive language toward the complainants to provoke a breach of the peace. The third count claims that they used insulting and provocative language in public, likely to incite the complainants. Count four alleges that they used threatening language. Count five accuses them of stealing Le4,800 and other personal items from the complainants. The sixth and final count alleges assault on both complainants.
During proceedings, Prosecuting Counsel F. Fomba guided Prosecution Witness 2 (PW2), Juan Sia Barrie, to be confident during her cross-examination by Defense Counsel C. Johnson. Both complainants were cross-examined and maintained that the accused were responsible for the injuries they allegedly sustained.
In response, Defense Counsel C. Johnson led Defense Witness 1 (DW1), Kadiatu Kanneh, to testify. DW1 stated that she and the complainants reside in the same community. She recounted that on 31st January 2024, she heard a commotion outside her home and discovered that PW2, Juan Sia Barrie, was being verbally abusive toward her son, Alhaji Kanneh Jr.
DW1 testified that she stepped outside to ask PW2 to leave her premises due to the abusive behavior. She claimed that PW2 slapped her before walking away, while PW1, the mother of Juan Sia Barrie, confronted her in the street. DW1 firmly denied entering the complainants’ home and stated that she has video evidence showing she was the one abused.
The prosecution cross-examined DW1, and the matter was adjourned by Magistrate Kandeh to 3rd September 2025 for further hearing. Bail continues for all the accused.