By: Audrey Raymonda John
A 25-year-old labourer, Santigie Kamara, has been remanded in custody after appearing before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, where he is facing two counts of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Sections 20 and 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, respectively.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Friday, 2 October 2026, at 7Up Junction, Kingtom, in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused allegedly maliciously wounded Ibrahim Mansaray.
The second count further alleged that, on the same date and at the same location, Kamara assaulted Mansaray, thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and explained to him in court, Kamara pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Inspector Theresa Ballay led the prosecution, with Ibrahim Mansaray testifying as the first prosecution witness.
Mansaray told the court that he knew the accused as a friend and recalled an incident involving them on 2 October 2026.
According to the witness, he was in the community when a boy identified as Messi informed him that the accused had taken his tricycle. He said he subsequently confronted Kamara and cautioned him about the matter.
Mansaray testified that the accused attempted to fight him, but he refused to engage and walked away. He alleged that Kamara followed him, pushed him and caused him to fall into a gutter.
He further alleged that the accused rushed towards him, grabbed him, lifted him and dropped him onto the ground, causing him to lose consciousness.
The witness said he later regained consciousness at Kingharman Road Hospital, where he discovered that he had sustained swelling at the back of his head and bruises on his foot.
He further testified that the matter was subsequently reported at the Central Police Station, where he was issued a police medical request form and referred to Connaught Hospital for treatment.
According to Mansaray, an X-ray was conducted on his head, and the medical request form was endorsed by the hospital. He said the document was later retained by the police and produced in court for identification.
He added that he subsequently made a statement at the Central Police Station.
The accused, who was not legally represented, personally cross-examined the witness
Following the evidence presented, Magistrate Fornah refused to grant the accused bail, citing the seriousness of the offences.
The matter was adjourned to 11 November 2026 for further hearing.