By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 39-year-old Chinese national, Zhou Wenjie, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and shareholder of an unnamed company, has appeared before Magistrate Sao Mamakoh Kallon at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 3 in Freetown. He faces two criminal charges in connection with the alleged assault and wounding of a Sierra Leonean man.
Zhou was arrested in relation to an incident that reportedly occurred on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at Sux Mile, Newton, Waterloo, in the Western Rural District.
According to the charge sheet, count one accuses Zhou of wounding Musa Baba Conteh, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
Count two alleges that Zhou assaulted the victim, causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the same Act.
During the court session, State Counsel Mr. Conteh informed the Magistrate that the complainant, Musa Baba Conteh, was unable to attend due to illness. He requested a short adjournment and called for cooperation between both prosecution and defense teams to avoid unnecessary delays.
He also cautioned that if the defense continues to delay proceedings, the trial may proceed in their absence at the next hearing.
After hearing the submissions, Magistrate Sao Mamakoh Kallon adjourned the matter to August 12, 2025, for further proceedings.