By: Alimatu Kargbo
A 23-year-old waste collector, Lawrence Williams, has been remanded to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 after making another appearance on three criminal charges.
Williams is standing trial on three counts: wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; assault on a police officer, contrary to Section 39 of the Police Act No. 7 of 1964; and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
According to the particulars of the offence, the prosecution alleges that on 10 June 2026 at Murray Town in the Western Area of Freetown, the accused maliciously wounded DPC 21452 Desmond Mohamed Kemokai.
The prosecution further alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the accused assaulted Police Constable Kemokai while he was carrying out his lawful duties. It is also alleged that the assault occasioned actual bodily harm to the officer.
The prosecution was led by DPC 17649 Brima Kargbo, while the first prosecution witness, DPC 21452 Desmond Mohamed Kemokai, attached to the Regional Freetown West Division at Lumley, testified as an operational police officer.
Led in evidence, the witness told the court that he recognized the accused and recalled that on 10 June 2026 he and other officers were on an operation at Murray Town, commonly known as “Banana Water.” He alleged that they found the accused selling kush, tramadol, and other prohibited items.
The witness further testified that while attempting to arrest the accused, the accused allegedly struck him on the mouth, causing him to bleed. He also alleged that his bag, containing his police identity card and Le500,000 in cash, was taken during the incident. He said the accused was subsequently arrested and taken to the police station.
Kemokai told the court that he was issued a police medical request form, which he later returned with a medical endorsement. He added that he also made a statement to the police regarding the incident.
The accused, who was not represented by a lawyer, cross-examined the witness.
At the end of the proceedings, Magistrate Jah refused bail and remanded the accused to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown. The matter was adjourned to 27 July 2026.
