By: Alimatu Kargbo
Three people accused of publicly insulting a couple at Regent Road in Freetown have continued to face prosecution evidence, with a prosecution witness telling the court about a heated confrontation that allegedly involved abusive language and threats.
Yainkain Kargbo, a petty trader, Kadiatu Kabia and Lansana Bakarr, all Sierra Leoneans, were arrested on June 30, 2026, and charged with public insult and provocation, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
The prosecution alleges that on May 20, 2026, at 26 and 24 Regent Road, Freetown, in the view of members of the public and in the presence of Euzebius Uche Nuaji and Virginia Nuaji, the accused used insulting words against the couple in a manner likely to provoke them to commit a breach of the peace.
The prosecution called PW3, Fredicia M. Kamara, a businesswoman and resident of 26 Regent Road, who told the court that she knew both the complainants and the accused.
Testifying before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Court No.2, Kamara said the complainants were her tenants and that she had known them for about 15 years, describing their relationship as cordial.
She recalled that on May 20, 2026, she was at her shop when she heard a quarrel. Curious about what was happening, she left her shop to see what was going on.
According to her, she found the accused allegedly using abusive language against the complainants.
Kamara told the court that the first accused, Yainkain Kargbo, allegedly said she would make what happened in South Africa when people voted against Nigeria, happen in Sierra Leone.
She further testified that she told the second and third accused not to leave the premises.
The witness also alleged that during the confrontation, the second accused bent her waist towards her while she was observing the incident.
She further told the court that the third accused allegedly threatened to report the matter to Mr. Uche and his wife, claiming that he was a “society man.”
According to Kamara, the third accused also allegedly made insulting remarks about Mr. Uche’s wife, including an allegation that she had been sexually used at the Samba Gutter, and also insulted Mr. Uche.
The witness said she subsequently made a statement at the Central Police Station and also reported the incident to the City Council.
During cross-examination by Defence Counsel AMH Bah, Kamara was asked where she was when the alleged incident occurred.
She maintained that she was at her shop and said the incident happened at about 4 p.m. Asked why she was appearing in court, she said she was there as a witness in the matter and not as a landlady.
Defence counsel put it to her that, during the previous sitting, it had emerged that Mrs Uche was her friend and that she used to visit her.
Kamara disagreed, explaining that the Uchas were her tenants and that they had maintained a cordial landlord-tenant relationship for about 15 years.
She was also asked where the accused normally sold her goods. The witness said the accused sold in front of Mr. Uche and his wife’s shop.
Kamara told the court that, as the landlady, she had repeatedly asked the accused to stop selling there because the activity obstructed access to the Uches’ shop.
It was further put to her that she was deliberately concealing the complainants’ behaviour during the alleged incident.
She denied the allegation.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to August 24, 2026, for further proceedings.
