By: Alimatu Kargbo
The High Court in Freetown has heard disturbing testimony from a prosecution witness in an alleged forced female genital mutilation (FGM) case involving five accused persons.
The accused, Mariama Kargbo alias Kuttie, Ramatu Turay alias Waka Pa Dem, Mabinty Bangura alias Sampa, Adama Kamara alias Nanday Porto/Nandewa, and Abubakarr Fadika alias DJ Bakarr, appeared before Justice Tonia Barnett on four counts of conspiracy and causing grievous bodily harm, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
According to the indictment, the accused allegedly conspired on 7 May 2026 at Quarry, Moyeba Community in Freetown, to forcibly cut the clitorises of Posseh Sesay and Fatmata Bangura, causing them grievous bodily harm. The prosecution further alleges that four of the accused intentionally carried out the acts with the intent to maim the two women.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no pleas were taken.
Giving evidence, prosecution witness, Posseh Sesay, a hairdresser, identified all five accused persons in the dock. She told the court that on the day of the alleged incident, the fifth accused contacted her and invited her to his residence, claiming he wanted to resolve a misunderstanding involving the third accused. She said she informed her mother, Aminata Bangura, who accompanied her to the meeting.
Posseh testified that after arriving, the accused questioned her over allegations that she had insulted the second accused. Although she denied the accusation, she alleged that she was threatened and pressured to confess.
The witness further told the court that she was later taken into a room, stripped against her will, forced to lie down, and blindfolded. Before her eyes were covered, she said she saw the fourth accused holding a blade, which was later handed to another person.
She alleged that she was forcibly subjected to female genital cutting without her consent, describing the procedure as extremely painful. According to her testimony, she cried throughout the ordeal and later noticed blood on the floor before leaves and traditional medicine were applied to the wound.
Posseh also testified that after the procedure, she asked about the welfare of her children, explaining that she was their sole caregiver. She alleged that the fourth accused assured her that she and her children would be taken to her house, but gave no further explanation.
The witness further alleged that she and fellow victim, Fatmata Bangura, were later detained in a dark enclosure used for keeping goats and sheep, where they spent the night without food or water. She claimed they were told they were now “slaves” and would remain under the control of the accused.
According to her testimony, her mother pleaded for her release, but was allegedly told to pay money before she could regain her freedom. Unable to meet the demand, her mother left after warning the accused not to harm her daughter.
Posseh said she and Fatmata spent the night crying and comforting one another. She added that, because they had no access to a toilet, she was forced to urinate into a plastic container.
She further alleged that they were later subjected to another traditional procedure and threatened that if the demanded money was not paid, they would be taken to Bandoma and initiated into the Sowei Society.
The witness told the court that she eventually escaped, after which a friend found her and advised her to report the matter to the police instead of continuing the journey. She said that they immediately reported the alleged incident to the police.
Justice Tonia Barnett adjourned the matter to 20 July 2026 for the defence to begin cross-examination of the witness.
