By Janet A. Sesay
Bawah Jabo Samba on Tuesday, 14 October, 2025 dragged his wife Adama Josephine Keifala Samba to court on allegation of domestic violence.
The matter is before Magistrate Augustine Briama Samura of Pademba Road Court No. 8.
Mrs. Samba is arraigned before the court on three count charges of domestic violence that is alleged to constitute physical, emotional abuse, and psychological abuses contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Domestic Act 2007 Act No. 20 of 2007.
The indictment states that the Defendant, sometime between 1st January and 21st June 2025 at Congo Cross in Freetown, physically, psychologically and emotionally abused Buawah Jobo Samba (Complainant) with whom she is having a domestic relationship. The Defendant pleaded not guilty of the offenses.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joan M. S. Bull leading the Complainant in his testimony recognized the Defendant as his wife and went on to recall the aforementioned dates.
He testified that between the periods of time, the Defendant and their children returned home from the United States of America and upon their arrival Defendant told him that she never wanted to return to Sierra Leone again. He explained that while in this conversation with the Defendant, she came up with three proposals: firstly that he should pay tuition fees for her to pursue a nursing course in a university in the USA and she should be there with one of the children.
According to the witness in his testimony, he immediately rejected that first proposal explaining to her that he does not have that kind of money.
The witness went on that her second proposal was that the witness should endeavor to marry an American citizen who will then incur the expenses of securing an American visa and that when he gets his citizenship, he can later facilitate her own travel to the USA. The witness said they both agreed on the second proposal.
He witness furthered that the Defendant came with a third proposal which was to look for some living in the USA to adopt their two children. The witness said they also agreed to the third proposal.
The witness continued that following this conversation and the agreements, he decided to enroll the Defendant into a nursing course at an institute in Freetown while at the same time they were searching for a potential person to adopt the children.
The witness went further to testify that during the period under review, he came across a former female university friend who was willing to help them with the adoption of the children but she is living in Germany.
He explained that he discussed this development with his wife who acquiesced that Germany can also be a fine country for the children’s adoption.
The witness said he called his friend to discuss the adoption issue and whiles on the call, the Defendant told him to stop the discussion with the friend in Germany, accusing him of having a love affair with the said friend.
He further told the court that the Defendant immediately made a phone call to her mother and younger sister explaining to them that he (witness) is cheating on her and also told them that he saw a photo of the witness and the friend in his phone.
The witness testified that the Defendants mother and sister immediately went to their house and started interrogating him about the alleged photo but that he told them that the lady in Germany was just a friend and that there was nothing more between them. But according to the witness, during the interrogation, the Defendant’s younger sister removed her shoes and hit him on his body and the Defendant also joined in the beating.
The witness testified further that he managed to record the incident with his phone, and that in one instance; the Defendant’s sister was trying to hit him again, but missed him and instead hit their mother. The witness said instead of the mother blaming her daughter for the assault, was shouting his name that he had hit her.
The witness went on that after the incident, the Defendant’s younger sister and mother left the house; noting that because of the incident, he felt ashamed to come out of the house because of the neighbors.
The witness furthered that later that day, the Defendant, her younger sister and mother returned to the house this time with a police officer and one military personnel accusing him of beating their mother. He explained that it was at this stage that he called his elder sister who happens to be a High Court Judge via WhatsApp video link and she advised him to stay put and not to do anything.
He went on that the video call was still on and she was seeing everything that was transpiring including when the Defendant splashed water at him in the presence of the police and military personnel. He said after water was splashed at him, he managed to get to his car and he drove away to a friend’s wife where he said he spent the night.
At this juncture of the witness’s testimony, the Prosecutor sought for an adjournment.
The Defense Counsel, M. S. Bah at this juncture made an application for bail on behalf of the Defendant which was granted.
The matter comes up for continuation on 20th October, 2025.