Baba Shola Chinsman has appeared before the court on a two-count charge of alleged unlawful dealings with the estate of the late Mrs. Amistricia Ainor Whitfield.
The accused is charged with unlawful deprivation of entitled beneficiaries and interference with a deceased person’s property, contrary to Sections 33(4)(b)(i) and 33(4)(c) of the Devolution of Estate Act No. 21 of 2007.
According to the particulars of offence, Chinsman, between August 23, 2007, and October 1, 2025, at No. 47 Wellington Street in Freetown, allegedly failed, refused and/or neglected to probate the Will of the deceased and execute a vesting deed in favour of the beneficiaries, Victor Davies, Celia Davies and Charles Davies.
The prosecution further alleges that during the same period, the accused unlawfully interfered with the estate properties to the detriment of the named beneficiaries.
Testifying before the court, Josephine Nyahassiey Bawoh, a Probate Officer at the High Court of Sierra Leone, told the court that her responsibilities include handling Letters of Administration and related legal documents. She confirmed receiving a subpoena dated March 12, 2026, relating to the estate, which was tendered and marked as Exhibit E.
She also produced the original Letters of Administration for the estate, granted on August 1, 2014, to Dr. Babatola Chime and signed by the Master and Registrar of the High Court. The document was admitted as Exhibit F, while a certified copy was tendered as Exhibit F1 after the original was returned to the Probate Office.
Following her testimony, the witness was cross-examined by defence counsel. The defence subsequently applied for records to be made available to both parties, which was granted by the court.
Magistrate Gbloh adjourned the matter to April 7, 2026, for further hearing.
