Defendants Dragged To Court On Trespass & Assault
By: Alimatu Kargbo
Bondu Sumaila, Mary Pessima and Kumba Pessima have made another appearance before Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh at Pademba Road Court No. 5 in Freetown on four count charges of trespass to land, common assault, malicious damage, and abusive language.
They are charged with trespass to land contrary to Section 15(1)(a)(b) of the Summary Conviction Offences Act, common assault contrary to Section 19 of the same Act, malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861, and abusive language contrary to Section 3(i) of the Public Order Act No. 4 of 1965.
According to the particulars of offence, on 14th November 2025 at Upper Tengbeh Town in Freetown, the defendants allegedly unlawfully entered the complainant’s premises and assaulted him in an annoying, insulting, and threatening manner.
Counts two and three further state that on the same date, the defendants allegedly assaulted the complainant at his residence with intent to interfere with his person and intentionally damaged septic and water pipes belonging to the complainant. Count four also states that the defendants used abusive language against the complainant, Albert Mohamed Gaima, to his annoyance.
When the charge was read and explained, no plea was taken.
A witness, Theresa Finda Yamba, a student, testified that she recognized the complainant as her neighbour and the defendants as her relatives. She recalled that on 14th November 2025, while going to pay her children’s school fees, she heard an argument between the complainant and the first defendant. She said the complainant warned the first defendant not to pass through her compound, after which she intervened and suggested taking the matter to court.
She further told the court that the complainant responded in a threatening and insulting manner towards her. She also alleged that later in the evening, the complainant brought some women who stood at the front of the fence, which she said had previously been destroyed, and they insulted and recorded her.
During cross-examination, counsel for the complainant asked the witness how she knew the complainant, and she replied that he is her neighbour. She was also asked whether she was aware that on 13th November 2025 the complainant planted crops near the area in question, and she said she was not aware as she was not present.
She further confirmed hearing an argument between the complainant and the first defendant on 14th November. She also agreed that the complainant has used the road over the years. However, she said she did not see the first defendant physically touch the complainant.
When asked if her testimony was true, she maintained that it was the truth.
Defense counsel applied for a short adjournment for the defendants to bring another witness. However, Magistrate Mary Julia Gbloh adjourned the matter to 17th April 2025, and bail was extended for all defendants.
