By: Audrey Raymonda John
George Browne, one of the prisoners who escaped during the November 26th failed coup, has been brought before the court again, this time by Mohamed Alie Bah, who accuses him of wounding him by stabbing him in the lower left eye. Browne, who was serving a sentence at Pademba Road Prison for a previous stabbing incident involving his uncle, now faces charges of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges indicate that on March 14, 2025, Browne maliciously wounded Mohamed Alie Bah at Kroo Town Road in Freetown. The charge sheet further states that Browne assaulted Bah, causing him actual bodily harm.
In his testimony, the complainant, Mohamed Alie Bah, explained that he is a businessman and knew the accused through his brother, Ibrahim Bah. He recalled that on March 14, his brother informed him that he had given Browne seven thousand new leones to deliver to someone, but since then, Browne had disappeared.
Bah and his brother decided to search for Browne and eventually found him at Adelaide Street. When they confronted him, they saw Browne surrounded by people and noticed he was carrying several items, including new mobile phones worth three thousand new leones, a new watch, new clothes, and the money that had been given to him. Bah said they apprehended Browne and took him to the Adelaide Street police station, handing over the property in question.
The next day, Bah claimed that Browne came to his house asking for his property. Bah told him to go to the police to resolve the issue. Browne allegedly then threatened to kill Bah. Later, while speaking with Abdulai, Bah was suddenly stabbed in the lower eye by Browne, causing blood to pour from the wound. Browne fled the scene but was later arrested and taken to the central police station.
Bah received medical treatment at the Connaught Hospital, where he was given a medical report, which he later submitted to the police along with his statement.
In court, the accused, who was unrepresented, cross-examined the witness himself. Magistrate Santigie Bangura remanded Browne in custody, and the case was adjourned to April 15, 2025, for further proceedings.