By: Audrey Raymonda John
Mohamed Bangura and his son, Sam Bangura, have made another appearance before Magistrate Gbloh at Magistrate Court No. 5 in Freetown on a three-count charge of trespass, insulting conduct, and public insult and provocation, contrary to the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused persons allegedly, on 14 April 2026 at Kolley Company, Aberdeen, unlawfully entered the premises of the complainant, AbuBakarr Kargbo, in an annoying manner after being warned to desist.
The second count alleges that the accused used insulting language against the complainant, causing annoyance. The third count states that they used insulting and provocative words against AbuBakarr Kargbo with the intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no plea was taken from the accused.
Testifying before the court, Sam Bangura, a student and the second defendant, said he recognized the co-accused as his father and the complainant as their neighbour. He told the court that on 14 April, upon returning home from school, he went to his room to change clothes when he heard the complainant insulting his father.
According to Sam, he came outside and asked what was happening. His father informed him that AbuBakarr Kargbo was insulting him. He said he advised his father not to engage in the argument out of respect for his age.
Sam further testified that he later approached the complainant to ask why he was insulting his father. However, the complainant allegedly told him not to interfere. Sam said he responded that he had the right to intervene because the matter involved his father.
He further alleged that the complainant threatened to insult his mother and “put him back where his mother pulled him from” if he continued to interfere. According to Sam, the complainant then slapped him and attempted to fight him.
He also claimed that the complainant used a key positioned between his fingers to strike him in the face, causing injury.
During the proceedings, defence counsel sought to tender a photograph as evidence. However, counsel for the complainant objected, arguing that the photograph was taken on 18 May, whereas the alleged incident occurred on 14 April.
In response, defence counsel explained that the photograph had been sent by a police officer because the witness’s phone, which was used to capture the image, was faulty. Counsel subsequently requested the attendance of the police officer, a request that was granted by the magistrate.
Sam further testified that the matter was reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, where he made a statement and was issued medical examination forms. He was later cross-examined by counsel for the complainant.
In a separate testimony, Ibrahim Kamara, a driver, told the court that he knew both the defendants and the complainant as neighbours. He said he was asleep at home on 14 April when he was awakened by the sound of abusive language outside.
Kamara stated that he asked a nearby woman what had happened, but she said she did not know. Upon investigating, he allegedly heard the complainant directing insulting remarks at the defendants.
According to Kamara, Sam Bangura advised his father to ignore the insults and also urged the complainant to stop, but the complainant refused. He further alleged that the complainant insulted the defendants’ mother and physically assaulted Sam during the confrontation.
Kamara also claimed that the complainant used a key placed between his fingers to inflict injuries on Sam Bangura. He said he intervened and separated the parties, after which the complainant fled the scene. Sam allegedly attempted to pursue him but was unable to catch up.
He added that the defendants subsequently reported the matter to the police.
The matter was adjourned to 10 June 2026, while the accused persons remain on bail.