By Hassanatu I. Conteh
Israel Cooper, son of Reverend Joseph Cooper made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on two count charges to wit: threatening language contrary to Section 3 (1) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965, and malicious damage contrary to Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act 1861.
According to the particulars of offence, on Saturday, 12th April 2025, at 66 Black Hall Road in Freetown, the accused made use of threatening language against Mbalu Conteh with intent to provoke her to commit the breach of the peace. Count two furthered that on the same date and place, the accused person maliciously damaged one wooden door valued at One Thousand New Leones (NLe 1,000), property of Reverend Joseph Cooper. When the charges were read and explained to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.
The Police Prosecutor, Sergeant 3379 Ballay T, led the Prosecution Witness No. 1, Reverend Joseph Cooper who in his testimony recognized the accused as his son and recalled the 12th April, 2025 that something transpired between him and the accused person. The Witness said the accused was going to lock the toilet in the compound to prevent his tenants from using the facility. He furthered that as he was attempting to do locking of the toilets; he was also verbally threatening to stab anyone of the tenants he sees in the house. Reverend Cooper said upon hearing these threatening remarks, he immediately went to the police station and reported the accused.
He went on that he later received a phone call from one of the tenants, a Mr. Mohamed informing that the accused has indeed followed on his words and has locked the toilets. He said he informing the reporting officer of the information he had received, and that the officer asked him to go and confirm the information. Â He went on that on arrival at the house; he found out that the accused had removed the door to the toilet leaving it wide open. He said he was aggrieved and therefore returned to the police station to officially lodge a complaint against the accused.
The accused was not legally represented and therefore, cross- examined his father, the witness.
Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura refused bail because according to him, the accused appeared to be a threat to his community so he remanded him in custody. The matter was adjourned to the 1st May 2025.