By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Four women have appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 2 in Freetown on multiple charges, including wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The accused persons, Memunatu Turay, Mariama Silah alias “Ya Marie,” Aminata Silah, and Adama Silah, are facing eight counts, including wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly wounded, assaulted, and caused harm to Fatmata Koroma on 9 April 2026 at No. 2 Garrison Street, Freetown.
When the charges were read in court, all four defendants pleaded not guilty.
During the hearing, the prosecution called its witness, Ramata Koroma, a resident of No. 2 Garrison Street. She identified the complainant as a family member and told the court that she knew all four accused through their residence in the same compound.
Led in evidence, the witness recalled that she was away at her business on Howe Street when the incident began. She said Yusuf, the son of the third accused, came to inform her that his mother and the witness’s mother were involved in a dispute. According to her, Yusuf further explained that his elder brother had advised her not to say anything upon returning home because efforts were being made to settle the disagreement.
Ramata Koroma testified that after closing her business, she returned home with her elder sister, Fatmata Kamara, who was pregnant. She said her sister complained that people had been gossiping about her during her absence because she had been “blessed.”
She further told the court that the third accused later reported the matter to their mother and requested that she caution Fatmata Kamara in an effort to calm the situation. Later that evening, another of her sisters, Hawanatu Kamara, arrived home and was greeted by the family. The matter was adjourned to 28 July 2026 for continuation of hearing.