By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Thirty-four-year-old Alex Komba Gbondo, a barber, has been refused bail by Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown after appearing on three charges, including wounding with intent.
The accused made his appearance on Monday, November 2, 2026, on charges of wounding with intent, contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861; wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the same Act; and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the Act.
According to the particulars of offence, the accused is alleged to have, on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Signal Hill Road, Freetown, in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, wounded Alhassan Kamara with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.
The prosecution was led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Cunteh, while D.M. Bangura represented the accused.
The matter proceeded with the testimony of the first prosecution witness, Detective Sergeant Michael A. Conteh, attached to the Congo Cross Police Station in Freetown.
Testifying before the court, Conteh said that on September 22, 2026, while on duty, the complainant, Alhassan Kamara, reported a case of assault against the accused.
He said he subsequently issued the complainant a police medical request form to seek treatment at Connaught Hospital. The complainant later returned with an endorsed police medical report, which was tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibit A.
The witness further testified that he obtained a statement from the complainant, which was also tendered and admitted in evidence as Exhibits B1 to B4.
Conteh told the court that he later arrested the accused and recovered a pair of scissors with a yellow handle and a stone, which were allegedly connected to the incident. He said the items were handed over to the exhibit officer, Police Constable 15221 Turay.
He further explained that he and Detective Police Constable 17726 Conteh obtained a caution statement from the accused. According to him, the accused was cautioned and questioned in Krio, while his responses were recorded in English.
The witness said the statement was subsequently read and explained to the accused in Krio. He added that the accused admitted that the statement was true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint in the presence of the other police officer. The statement was thereafter tendered in court as an exhibit.
During cross-examination by defence counsel D.M. Bangura, Conteh confirmed that his duties included investigating cases and charging suspects to court.
He further confirmed that the accused was interviewed during the investigation and that the complainant told him the accused had attacked and beaten him, leaving scratches on his body.
The witness said he personally observed scratches or bruises on the complainant’s body, but they had healed by the time he saw them.
When questioned about whether he had issued the accused a police medical request form, Conteh admitted that he did not issue one or ask the accused to obtain a medical report.
He also confirmed that the accused told him he had been hit with a board and that the complainant had threatened him during the investigation.
The witness further disclosed that the complainant mentioned two people, Paul and Pablo, as witnesses to the incident, but he was unable to locate them. He also said another person was mentioned as having been present during the incident.
Conteh admitted that the incident revolved around a debt of NLe20 and that the issue of a missing mobile phone came up during the investigation.
He further admitted that he did not see the alleged board and did not obtain statements from any other witnesses. However, he maintained that his investigation was not one-sided.
Defence counsel had no further questions.
Following the cross-examination, D.M. Bangura applied for bail on behalf of the accused pursuant to Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
Counsel submitted that the accused was an ordinary resident within the jurisdiction of the court and had reliable ties to the community. He assured the court that, if granted bail, the accused would not interfere with prosecution witnesses and would make himself available on every adjourned date.
However, Magistrate Fornah refused the bail application, citing the seriousness of the offences with which the accused was charged.
The matter was adjourned to November 9, 2026, for further proceedings.