By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Prison officer, Thomas Daddy Koroma is standing trial in a Freetown magistrate court for threatening language and related offences against her colleague, Rugiatu Koroma.
The accused faces a six-counts charge of threatening language, intimidation, insulting conduct, abusive language and public insult and provocation.
The trial is presided over by magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court-2.
Courts records showed that on diverse dates between 1st and 30th November, 2023 at Kaningo, Juba, Western Area in Freetown, the accused did make use of threatening language against complainant, Rugiatu Koroma, chief correctional officer, with intent to provoke her to commit a breach of the peace.
Similar particulars of offences were also read for the other counts, and the accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read.
Complainant Rugiatu Koroma now first prosecution witness took the stand during Wednesday’s hearings.
Led in evidence by counsel S.M Komeh, witness told the court the she came to know the accused while roofing his house, and she also recalled diverse dates between 1st and 30th November, 2023.
According to the witness, she was communicating with her tenant when the accused came out of his house and used abusive words and threatened to kill her.
Witness said she warned him to leave her premises.
Not too long, witness testified, her daughter Mariatu Sesay came out and told the accused that she heard the threats and insulting words issued against her mother.
However, Witness said, she became afraid of the accused who was moving furiously on her premises since she was alone at home at that time.
Later, witness said, she reported the matter at Lumley police station, and police officers advised that she informed her authorities about the matter for investigation.
Her authorities, she went on, refused to look into the complaint as the accused also had another matter in court waiting for judgement.
Since he was unrepresented, the accused conducted the cross-examination by himself.
Bail application for the accused was refused as he was brought to court on a bench warrant.
The matter adjourned to 6th February.