The former Minister 2 of Finance Dr. Patricia Laverley was on Thursday 14th November, 2024 dragged to court by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Farida Tunis for allegedly assaulting her at State House.

The accused Laverley was standing trial before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court no.2 and was arraigned on two count charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to section 20 of the offense against the person’s act of 1861and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.

The indictment state that accused Laverley on 12 November, 2024 at State House in Freetown, assaulted Nabeela  Farida Tunis Minister of Tourism with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.

The indictment further that former Minister Laverley also assault Nabeela Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

After the charges were read and explain to the former Minister she pleaded not guilty of the offense.

The state Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested for an adjournment to gather his witnesses and said he will proceed with the matter on the next adjourned dates.

Led defense counsel I. Yillah apply for bail on behalf of the accused by citing section 79(3)(4) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.

He said the offenses charge against the former Minister Laverley are bailable, adding that the accused was a public officer who was held a cabinet positions for four years.

He said she is a responsible citizen and not a flight risk adding that she is the head of the African Development Bank in Tanzania.

Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay opposed to bail and refer to his affidavit he file in opposing bail.

He said the offense are grievous in nature and the scene of crime happens at State House.

Magistrate Santigie Bangura before granting bail said he regards that the former Minister Laverley is working outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone and in consideration of the application made on her behalf by her lawyer grant her bai in the sum of One hundred thousand Leones with two sureties in like sum,

The sureties he said must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown and they must be certified by the Freetown City Council.

Magistrate Santigie Bangura further that the sureties must make an undertaking to the court that they are going to ensure the appearance of the accused before the court and the accused should not travel outside the country without any express permission from the office of the Master and Register.

The bail he ordered should be approved by the Master and register of the High Court.

The matter comes up on the 20th November 2024 for hearing.