By: Audrey Raymonda John
Esther Lavallie, a waitress, was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing two charges: Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and Malicious Damage, contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the charge particulars, on Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Lumley, Freetown, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, Lavallie allegedly assaulted Aminata Kpaka in a manner that caused her actual bodily harm. In the second count, it was stated that on the same date and location, Lavallie maliciously damaged a black Samsung mobile phone, valued at 13,477 Leones, belonging to Aminata Kpaka.
When the charges were read and explained, Lavallie pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The prosecutor, Sergeant 8811 Wilson, called the third prosecution witness, Alie Kargbo, a Detective Police Constable (DPC 16998) attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Lumley Police Station. Kargbo confirmed that he recognized both the complainant and the defendant in the matter.
Kargbo testified that on April 17, 2025, he was on duty when he was assigned to investigate the case. He issued a police medical request form to the complainant for treatment at Lumley Hospital. He later received an endorsed medical report from the hospital, which was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit B. Kargbo also stated that he obtained statements from the complainant and her witness, which were produced and tendered as Exhibits C1–C4.
He further explained that on April 25, 2025, he and Detective Inspector Sandi took a cautionary statement from the defendant in Krio. After recording the statement in English, Kargbo read it back to the defendant in Krio, and she admitted it was true and correct by affixing her right-hand thumbprint. This statement was signed by both Kargbo and Inspector Sandi and was produced and tendered as Exhibit D1–D7.
Kargbo continued, explaining that on the same date, the defendant was formally charged with the two counts of Assault and Malicious Damage. After cautioning and questioning her again in Krio, the statement was recorded in English, read back to her in Krio, and she again admitted its accuracy by affixing her right-hand thumbprint. This second statement was signed by Kargbo and Inspector Sandi and tendered as Exhibit E1–E2.
The damaged Samsung phone belonging to the complainant was handed over to the exhibit officer for safekeeping. The defendant is represented by C. Pujeh.
Bail was continued for the defendant, and Magistrate Fornah adjourned the matter to October 13, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.