By: Audrey Raymonda John
The assault matter between the Minister of Tourism Nabella Farida Tunis and former Minister Patricia Laverley has been adjourned again to next year after lead defense counsel Jenkins Johnson informed the court that Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Steven of the High court has gave an order for former Minister Laverley to travel to Ghana medical treatment.
The matter came up again on Monday 9th November, 2024 before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court no.2.
Before the adjournment, defense counsel Johnson informed Magistrate Bangura that there has been some development in the matter, adding that on Friday 6 December, 2024 they were able to obtained ordered from the High Court in respect of the medical condition of the former Minister Laverley for her to travel to Ghana for medical treatment.
He asked for a four weeks adjournment to align with the Court Order gave by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Steven.
Defense counsel apologize for the absent of the former Minister and prays that by the time she returns from her medical treatment she would be fit and able to stand trial on the matter.
After that submission, defense counsel further made an application before the court for exchange of one of the sureties Kadie Jonjon whom he said want to travel.
He added that the exchange of one of the sureties will not affect the procedures of the matter.
State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay said they are aware of the order given by the high Court, adding that the High Court superseded the lower court. He said it is unfair that the order was served to the prosecution but they did not serve the court the perfected court order of the High Court.
Defense counsel Johnson furthered that the state counsel was in presence when the orders were made at the high Court.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura after hearing both sides grant the order given by the high Court and also grant the application made by defense counsel Johnson for an exchanged of sureties. He ordered that immediately the surety is back she should take her position as surety in the matter. The matter was adjourned to January 8th 2025.
The former Minister Laverley was arraigned before the court on two count charges ranging from inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to section 20 of the offense against the person’s act 1861 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The indictment state that the former Minister Laverley on the 12th November, 2024 at State House in Freetown, assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.
The indictment furthered that the former Minister Laverley on the same day and place assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.