By: Audrey Raymonda John
An elderly man, Simeon Okafor has been arraigned before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Ross Road Court No.3 for allegedly assaulting his landlady, Isatu Bangura.
Okafor was arraigned before the court on a count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.
Police records indicated that the accused, on Tuesday 20th May 2023, assaulted his landlady, Isatu Bangura in a manner thereby causing her grievous bodily harm.
Prosecution witness, Police Constable 18352 Lesilia Buckle attached at the Investigation Branch Ross Road Police station recognised the accused and recalled the day in question.
On Tuesday 20th May 2023 Lesilia said she was on duty when complainant arrived at the station and made a report.
She said the matter was assigned to her by her superior, Detective Sergeant 13932 for onward investigation.
She told the court that she issued the complainant with a police medical request form for treatment and examination at Connaught Government Hospital in Freetown.
On the same day, she said Isatu returned endorsed medical paper to the station.
DPC Buckle said she obtained statement from complainant and her witnesses respectively.
When the prosecution failed to tender the medical paper in evidence, Magistrate Daboh questioned the witness why she did not tender the said medical paper having laid the foundation.
In response, the police prosecutor, Sub-Inspector Macaulay intimated the bench that he inherited the file and that lawyer Michela P. George was representing the accused.
Having heard prosecution’s submission, Magistrate Daboh adjourned the matter that will come up today 17th November 2023, for prosecution’s witness to conclude her evidence in chief.