By Elizabeth J. Kamara
40-year-old Santigie Fofanah, a tricycle rider made his second appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of the Pademba Road Court No.3 in Freetown.
The accused person is standing trial on two count charges to wit assault on police and occasioning actual bodily harm.
It was alleged that the accused on Monday, 29th May, 2023, at PZ, Western Area in Freetown, assaulted Police Constable 17205 Ganda, whilst on due execution of his lawful duty.
It was further alleged that on the said date and place the accused person assaulted the complainant in a manner thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Isatu Baba Musa, led the prosecution witness No:4, Sergeant 9527 Safie Conteh attached to the Criminal Investigations Department [CID] Central Police Division.
The witness recognised the complainant and the accused person in the duck.
She recalled on the 29th May,2023, at the said office when the accused person was arrested and brought to the police station, together with the complainant.
She said by then the complainant’s eyes were swollen and surrounded with blood.
She said the matter was allocated to her for investigation and that she prepared police medical request form for the complainant while she detained the accused person on the following day.
She said the complainant returned with the endorsed medical request form.
The medical request was form was tendered in court to form part of the court records.
She said she obtained statement from the complainant and his witnesses on the 31st May 2023.
She said herself and Sergeant 9823 cautioned and questioned the accused person in Krio and recorded the interview in English.
The witness statement was tendered in court to form part of the court records.
The prosecution has closed their case while the defense counsel promised that on the next adjourned date he will furnish the court.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura refused bail and adjourned the matter to the 4th December 2023 for further hearing.
