Magistrate Santigie Bangura
By Emma Black
Two men, Ishmail Nabieu, a mason, and Bala Marah, a carpenter, made their first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown on multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, wounding with intent, malicious wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, all contrary to the offences against the Person Act of 1861.
According to the prosecution, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Black Tank, Adonkia, Goderich in the Western Area of Freetown, the two accused, along with others unknown, allegedly conspired to wound a man named Baimaro Sesay with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The charges further state that they maliciously wounded and assaulted the complainant, thereby inflicting actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and explained in court, no plea was taken from the accused persons, assistant commissioner of Police Joan M.S. Bull led the prosecution and presented the first witness, the complainant, Baimaro Sesay, a businessman. He testified that he recognized both accused individuals and recalled the incident in question.
Sesay explained that on the morning of April 16 at around 10:00 a.m., he had visited his cousin, Abass Sesay, at Adonkia Black Tank, who asked him to supervise a MoneyGram office. According to Sesay, the property had been under his cousin’s control for several years.
He said that while at the location, a man named Sanjai approached and threatened to set fire to the zinc structures, claiming he had received a court order. Shortly afterward, the first accused, Ishmail Nabieu, allegedly struck him on the side with a stone and kicked him. The second accused, Bala Marah, then reportedly joined in, using a stick to beat him.
Sesay further stated that while he was being assaulted, the accused told him he was being targeted specifically because he was considered “stubborn.” He claimed that another unknown individual later joined in the attack, brandishing a machete. Despite people being present, no one intervened due to fear of the weapons.
The witness described sustaining serious injuries and pain, particularly to his left hand. He managed to escape and ran to the main road, where the accused stopped chasing him. He immediately reported the incident at Adonkia Police Station, where he was issued a medical request form.
Sesay said he went to Lumley Hospital, where he was examined and treated. He later returned the endorsed medical form to the police station, where a statement was obtained from him. The medical request form was presented in court and marked as Exhibit Z.
During cross-examination by Charles Abass Bangura Esq., who represented both accused persons, the defense applied for bail, however, Magistrate Bangura refused bail for the second accused, Bala Marah, citing the seriousness of the offenses. Bail for the first accused, Ishmail Nabieu, was continued, the matter was adjourned to May 15, 2025 for further proceedings.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 19th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
