36 years old Mustapha Kallon Saffa a mason, made his first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown on two count charges to wit wounding contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to section 47 of the Offences against the Persons Act of 1861.

According to the particulars of offence on 16th November, 2024 at No.15 Addlia Drive IMATT, Mountain Rural District, Western Area in Freetown maliciously wounded Joseph Alhaji Cole. Count two further stated that on the above date and place, the accused assaulted the said complainant in a manner thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

When the charges were read and explained to the accused he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh sought for a short adjournment date because his witness was absent in court

Counsel representing the accused person Chernor Kamara Esq. applied for bail for and on behalf of the accused that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within this jurisdiction and that he has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognizance on his behalf and that he will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jumped bail. He made his application pursuant to section 79 3 of the Criminal Procedure Act No.32 of 1965.

Meanwhile Magistrate Bangura granted bail to the accused in the sum of twenty thousand leones with two sureties in like sum and sureties must be responsible citizens resident in Freetown to produce valid identity cards depicting their addresses in Freetown and bail to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The matter was adjourned to 20th March, 2025.