By: Audrey Raymonda John
Baba Shola Chinsman has appeared before Magistrate Julian Mary Gbloh at Pademba Road Court No. 5 in Freetown on a two-count charge relating to the alleged unlawful handling of the estate of the late Amistricia Ainor Whitfield.
According to the statement of offence, the accused is charged with unlawful deprivation of entitled persons from the use of property, contrary to Section 33(4)(b)(i) of the Devolution of Estate Act No. 21 of 2007.
The particulars of offence state that between 23 August 2007 and 1 October 2025, at No. 47 Wellington Street in Freetown, the accused, being the sole surviving executor and trustee of the last will and testament of the deceased dated 14 July 1996, allegedly failed, refused, or neglected to probate the will. He is further accused of failing to execute a vesting deed transferring the property to the beneficiaries: Victor Davies, Celia Davies, and Charles Davies.
The second count charges the accused with unlawful interference with the property of a deceased person, contrary to Section 33(4)(c) of the same Act. It is alleged that during the same period, the accused interfered with properties belonging to the late Amistricia Ainor Whitfield, to which the complainants are lawful beneficiaries.
During the proceedings, Josephine Nyahassiey Bawoh, a Probate Officer attached to the Probate Office of the High Court of Sierra Leone, testified about her official duties, which include receiving Letters of Administration, subpoenas, and related documents.
She told the court that she received a subpoena dated 12 March 2026 concerning the estate of the deceased. The document was produced and tendered as Exhibit E.
The witness further stated that she brought the original Letters of Administration for the estate of the late Amistricia Ainor Whitfield, formerly of No. 13 Off Murray Town Road, Freetown. She explained that the Letters of Administration were issued to Dr. Babatola Chime on 1 August 2014 and were signed by the Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone.
The original document was produced and tendered as Exhibit F, while a certified copy was also submitted as Exhibit F1. The court granted her request for the original document to be returned to the Probate Office.
Following her testimony, the witness was cross-examined by defence counsel. Counsel for the accused also applied for access to relevant records for both parties, which the court approved.