By: Audrey Raymonda John
Thirty-two-year-old businessman, Osman Kamara, was arraigned before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on Thursday, 25 June 2026, on two counts of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and Loitering with Intent to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 8 of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
According to the particulars of offence, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at Byrne Lane Drive in Freetown, Western Area, Osman Kamara allegedly assaulted Dauda Mansaray in a manner that occasioned him actual bodily harm.
The second count alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused was found loitering with intent to commit a felony.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
Led in evidence by Prosecutor Sergeant 3379 Ballay T., the second prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant 10837 Lloyd Mat George, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Congo Cross Police Station, testified that he recognized both the complainant and the defendant.
The witness recalled that on 20 May 2026, while on duty, the complainant and other persons came to the police station and reported a case of assault against the defendant.
Detective Sergeant George stated that he issued the complainant with a Police Medical Examination Form, which was later endorsed by a medical practitioner. The document was produced and tendered in court as Exhibit A.
He further testified that he and DPC 13974 Johannes E. visited the crime scene, where he took photographs using his Android mobile phone.
According to the witness, on the same date, he obtained statements from the complainant and prosecution witnesses. These statements were produced and tendered as Exhibits B1-B3 and C1-C3.
He also obtained a caution statement from the defendant. The witness told the court that the accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, to which he responded in Krio. His responses were subsequently recorded in English.
At the conclusion of the interview, the statement was read and explained to the defendant in Krio. According to the witness, the defendant admitted that the contents were true and correct and endorsed the statement with his right thumbprint in the presence of Detective Sergeant 7929 Harding D.S., who witnessed the process. The witness signed as the recorder. The statement was produced and tendered as Exhibits D1-D5.
Detective Sergeant George further testified that on 22 May 2026, the defendant was formally charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and Loitering with Intent to Commit a Felony. He stated that the same procedure used in obtaining the caution statement was followed during the charging process.
The charge statement was read and explained to the defendant in Krio, after which he admitted it to be true and correct and endorsed it with his right thumbprint. Detective Sergeant Harding D.S. witnessed the process, while the witness signed as recorder. The charge statement was subsequently tendered as *Exhibits E1–E2*.
The defendant, who was not represented by legal counsel, did not cross-examine the witness.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah refused bail and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown, citing the seriousness of the offences charged.
The matter was adjourned to 1 July 2026 for further proceedings.