By: Audrey Raymonda John
Abu Murray, a generator mechanic, made his first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on three counts: Causing Grievous Bodily Harm contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, Wounding contrary to Section 20 of the same Act, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm contrary to Section 47.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Wednesday, 11th June 2025, at 14 Bismak Johnson Street in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the accused allegedly caused grievous bodily harm to Santigie Kabba with intent to do so.
Count two alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused maliciously wounded Santigie Kabba, while count three states that he assaulted Kabba in a manner that caused actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused, no plea was taken.
Prosecutor Sergeant 3379 Ballay T. led in the first prosecution witness, Santigie Kabba, a Kekeh driver, who identified the accused as his neighbor. Kabba recalled that on 11th June 2025, a dispute arose between him and the accused after he had reported the accused’s wife, Mariatu Kamara, to the area chief. Kamara had acted as a surety for her brother in a motorbike transaction, but the brother failed to make the necessary payments.
Kabba stated that later that day, Kamara called him to her business place. There, the accused allegedly confronted him, hit him in the face, and a physical altercation ensued. During the fight, the accused allegedly bit off his left finger.
Kabba said he bled profusely and suffered severe pain before being taken to the Kingtom Police Station. He was issued a police medical form for treatment and examination at Connaught Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. The medical report was marked as Exhibit Z. He also made a statement to the police and submitted witness accounts.
Defense Counsel S. Kanu applied for bail on behalf of the accused, arguing that he is a family man with reliable sureties, is not a flight risk, and will not interfere with prosecution witnesses. She cited Section 79 (2)(3) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
However, Magistrate Fornah denied the bail application due to the seriousness of the charges and ordered that the accused be remanded at the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown.
The case has been adjourned to 30th June 2025 for continuation of the trial.