By: Audrey Raymonda John
Three labourers, 30-year-old Abass Sesay, 19-year-old Abdulai Sesay, and 17-year-old Foday Kamara, were remanded in custody after making their first appearance before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown. The three are facing five charges: Wounding, Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, Malicious Damage, Throwing Missiles, and Carrying an Offensive Weapon without Lawful Authority. The charges are all in violation of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
According to the particulars of the offence, the accused individuals are alleged to have committed the crimes on Tuesday, 14th October 2025, at Koya Town, Wellington, in the western area of Freetown. The first charge states that they maliciously wounded Abdul Fattah Kamara.
The second charge accuses the defendants of assaulting Abdul Fattah Kamara, thereby causing him actual bodily harm.
The third charge involves the malicious damage of Abdul Fattah Kamara’s property, including one Toyota Camry with registration number AQF 181, where both the front and back windscreens were damaged, as well as seven zinc sheets and other items. The total value of the damages is estimated at 10,750 Leones.
The fourth charge accuses the defendants of throwing missiles at Abdul Fattah Kamara’s compound on the same date.
The fifth charge states that the defendants were found in possession of offensive weapons (a koboko stick, cutlasses, and pepper water) without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
When the charges were read and explained to the defendants, no plea was taken.
During the proceedings, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh called the first prosecution witness, Abdul Fattah Kamara, a worker at Water Quay. Kamara recognized all three defendants in the courtroom. He recalled an incident on the night of 13th October 2025, when the defendants, along with others not present in court, went to his house armed with sticks and weapons. Kamara stated that the first defendant was holding a koboko stick, the second defendant a cutlass, and the third defendant also had a cutlass and pepper water.
Kamara testified that the second and third defendants grabbed him, and the third defendant splashed pepper water in his eyes, rendering him helpless. The defendants then proceeded to grab him, leading to the alleged assault and wounding.
Counsel representing the defendants, A.B. Marrah, applied for bail on behalf of the accused. However, Magistrate Fornah denied bail and ordered that the defendants be remanded to the male correctional facility in Freetown.
The matter has been adjourned to 27th October 2025 for further proceedings.