October 14, 2021
By Audrey John
Sierra Leone, as in many countries, domestic violence tends to be seen as a ‘private issue’ and most acts such as rape, assault and sexual penetration, go under-reported.
However, due to the awareness raised on these cases, some women are now reporting the matter.
A fisherman Obai Kargbo is answering to three counts charge of causing grievous bodily harm, inflicting grievous bodily harm and domestic violence.
It is alleged that the accused Obai Kargbo on Tuesday 1st December 2020, assaulted his fiancé Nenneh Kamara at Kassie Section Tombo, by pouring caustic soda on her body thereby maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on her.
Obai Kargbo denied the allegation in court.
Led in evidence by State Prosecuting counsel Jessie Tucker, the victim Nenneh Kamara testified that on Monday night 30th November 2020, her fiancé Obai Kargbo requested her to have sexual intercourse but she refused.
The accused then insisted that he will spend the night at her residence but she still refused and that caused the accused to leave the house in an angry mood.
The reason she turned him down was because the accused normally mocks her saying she was too old for him, had expired and lack taste.
The following morning on Tuesday 1st December 2020, she was preparing to sell her cooked food when she turned and saw her fiancé briefly standing by the balusters and seconds later, the accused Obai Kargbo poured a certain substance that resemble caustic soda on her face to her feet.
Before she could cry for help, her face had swollen, and lost her sight due to the substance. She cried for help and was rushed to the Tombo hospital where she was examined and treated.
Nenneh Kamara told the court, that the accused was arrested the same day and she made a report to the Police and said since the incident, she no longer sees properly as her vision has been blurred.
During cross examination by defense counsel, the witness said she was a very beautiful woman with a pretty face until the accused disfigured her face and she lost her beauty due to the caustic soda he poured on her.
Following her evidence Justice Ivan Sesay refused the accused bail and adjourned the matter to Thursday 14th October 2021.