By: Audrey Raymonda John
Bayoh Dumbuya, a tricycle rider, made another appearance before Magistrate Julian Mary Gbloh at Pademba Road Court No. 5 on four charges:
Causing grievous bodily harm with intent, contrary to Section 18 of the Offenses Against the Person Act 1861. Dangerous riding, contrary to Section 99(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act No. 5 of 2007. Riding a tricycle without a rider’s license, contrary to Section 16(1) of the Road Traffic Act No. 5 of 2007. Riding a tricycle without third-party insurance coverage, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Criminal Procedure Act 133 of the Laws of Sierra Leone 1960.
According to the particulars of the offense, on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at 00:45 hours along the Main Peninsular Highway near Bah Junction, Gbendenbu, Goderich in the York Rural District of the Western Area, Dumbuya, while riding a TVS tricycle with registration number AYR 560, allegedly unlawfully and maliciously wounded Mariama Turay. The victim was acting in the due execution of her duties when the defendant, intending to resist or prevent lawful apprehension, inflicted grievous bodily harm.
Count two states that the defendant rode the tricycle in a dangerous manner with respect to Mariama Turay.
Count three alleges he rode the tricycle without a valid rider’s license.
Count four states he operated the tricycle without third-party insurance coverage.
When the charges were read, the defendant took no plea on count one but pleaded not guilty to counts two, three, and four.
Magistrate Gbloh informed the parties that count one is indictable, while counts two, three, and four are summary offenses. Following this, both parties agreed that all counts would be tried in the High Court. The parties were also admonished on the provisions of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, and the prosecution complied, providing the court and the defendant with the case bundle, including witness statements.
Counsel for the defendant, A.B. Sesay, Esq., applied for bail, arguing that the defendant is a resident within the jurisdiction and not a flight risk, pursuant to Section 76(1)(b) and (c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
However, Magistrate Gbloh refused bail and remanded Bayoh Dumbuya to the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to 11 March 2026 for further proceedings.