By Hassanatu I. Conteh
James Ramadan Sesay has been brought before a magistrate court in Freetown for assaulting a military officer.
Sesay is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and the matter is presided over by Magistrate Sahr Kehkura of Pademba Road Court No 1.
Police records said the accused, on Friday, 27th October, 2023, at Middle Town, Benguma Waterloo, in the Western Rural judicial district, assaulted Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Hassan Kamara in a manner occasioning him actual bodily harm.
Complainant Hassan Kamara now first prosecution witness testified in court last Wednesday led by Inspector M. Lahai.
Kamara started off his testimony by recognising the accused and recalling 27th October, 2023.
On the said date, witness went on, he was at his deployment base at Middle Town Benguma when the accused and others arrived there saying they had come to take over the land which they said belonged to them.
“The land belongs to us and not the state, and we will not leave until we take it over,” witness quoted the accused.
At this point, Kamara testified, he informed the Provost Marshall about the incident via mobile phone, and was during the communication process that the accused slapped him on his right eye.
The eye, according to the witness was swollen, and had never got back to normal.
Witness also told the court that the accused ran away and hid at the house of Mr Komeh who handed him over to Kingham Road Police Station.
The police, witness said, issued him a medical report for examination and treatment, and the medical document was produced in court for identification.
Witness also informed the court that he had a video clip to show how the alleged assault went about and would like the court to allow him display it.
Witness’ request was granted, and the Video clip would be shown to the court in subsequent hearing next Wednesday.