By: Audrey Raymonda John
Bondu Sumaila, Mary, and Pessima Kumba Pessima have made another appearance before Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh at Pademba Road Court No. 5 in Freetown on four counts of trespass to land, common assault, malicious damage, and abusive language.
The defendants are charged with trespass to land contrary to Section 15(1)(a)(b) of the Summary Conviction Offences Act, common assault contrary to Section 19 of the same Act, malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861, and abusive language contrary to Section 3(i) of the Public Order Act No. 4 of 1965.
According to the particulars of offence, on 14 November 2025 at Upper Tengbeh Town in Freetown, the defendants allegedly unlawfully entered the complainant’s premises and assaulted him in an insulting, annoying, and threatening manner.
Counts two and three further state that the defendants allegedly assaulted the complainant at his residence with intent to interfere with his person and intentionally damaged septic and water pipes belonging to him. Count four also alleges that the defendants used abusive language against the complainant, Albert Mohamed Gaima, to his annoyance.
When the charges were read and explained, no plea was taken.
A witness, Theresa Finda Yamba, a student, testified that she recognized the complainant as her neighbour and the defendants as her relatives. She recalled that on 14 November 2025; while going to pay her children’s school fees, she overheard an argument between the complainant and the first defendant. She stated that the complainant warned the first defendant not to pass through her compound, after which she intervened and suggested that the matter be taken to court.
She further told the court that the complainant responded in a threatening and insulting manner towards her. She also alleged that later in the evening, the complainant brought some women who stood in front of the fence previously said to have been destroyed and insulted and recorded her.
During cross-examination, counsel for the complainant asked the witness how she knew the complainant, and she replied that he was her neighbour. She was also asked whether she was aware that on 13 November 2025 the complainant had planted crops near the disputed area; she said she was not aware, as she was not present.
She further confirmed hearing an argument between the complainant and the first defendant on 14 November. She also agreed that the complainant has used the road over the years. However, she stated that she did not see the first defendant physically assault the complainant.
When asked whether her testimony was true, she maintained that it was.
Defence counsel applied for a short adjournment to bring another witness. However, Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh adjourned the matter to 17 April 2025, and bail was extended for all defendants.