By Janet A. Sesay
Hussein Alie Basma, a member of the Lebanese Community and employed by Kings Production, on Thursday 15th October 2020 was dragged to court by his wife, Nancy Basma. He made his first appearance before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 on four counts of domestic violence, which are all contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act of 2007.
According to the charge sheet, the accused, Hussein Alie Basma, on Friday 8th May 2020, at No.11 Carlton Carew Drive, Wilkinson Road in Freetown, economically abused his wife, Nancy Basma.
The charge sheet continues that the accused, on the same day and place, physically abused Nancy Basma and endangered the safety, health and well-being of his wife. The last count states that the accused, on the same day and place, intimidated Nancy Basma. When the charges were read to the accused he pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecutor, Inspector I.G. Fofanah, sought for a date, on the grounds that she did not have conference with the witness. She then informed the court that she will ask for a date so that they will interview the witness, and will take the witness stand on the adjourned date.
Defense counsel, M.M. BIattah, applied for bail and Magistrate Bonnie granted the accused bail in the sum of fifth million Leones and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be his boss and one Sierra Leonean.
Magistrate Hannah Bonnie also ordered that the accused must surrender his traveling documents to the court and must be responsible for his three children until the matter is determined.
The matter was adjourned to the 27th October 2020.