By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
In a dramatic courtroom testimony, Fatmata Samura narrated how she was allegedly forced to drink urine by the accused, Prince Osman Bangura, in an attempt to terminate her pregnancy. The accusation came as Prince Bangura stood trial before Justice Momoh Jah Stevens in Court No. 7 on charges of human trafficking, contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Fatmata recounted her relationship with the accused, which began on Facebook in 2018. She testified that Prince initially proposed love to her online, later requesting that she send him nude photos, which she did. A few months into their relationship, Prince asked her to visit his mother in Calaba Town, Western Area Urban. Fatmata explained that upon her arrival, she found Prince’s mother in poor health. According to her, Prince’s mother confided that she hadn’t seen her son in years and revealed that he had multiple children with various women.
After this unsettling encounter, Fatmata decided to end the relationship. However, she claimed that Prince threatened to leak her nude photos online if she left him. Fearing public humiliation, she continued the relationship under duress.
Fatmata further testified that Bangura had sent her pictures of luxurious cars and homes, claiming they were his, and eventually invited her to meet him in The Gambia. She said he sent her 600,000 old Leones for travel expenses and instructed her to keep the trip a secret. Upon her arrival, she was taken to an abandoned structure near a cemetery, where Prince allegedly raped her while she was on her menstrual cycle.
According to her testimony, they remained in the abandoned building for a month, during which Prince provided neither food nor water. Fatmata claimed she survived by cooking mangoes. She also revealed that during her time there, she discovered her nude photos on an old phone, along with other disturbing images of various women.
Fatmata recalled a particularly disturbing incident in which Prince allegedly forced her to strip naked and answer a call from a supposed cult group associated with the number 666. She said she refused, which led to more abuse, including another rape and the use of a large object to assault her sexually.
The witness went on to detail their travels through Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and finally Ghana, where they stayed in a church. Fatmata said that during this time, she became pregnant, but Prince allegedly forced her to consume medication and his own urine in an attempt to abort the pregnancy. Despite these horrific events, she gave birth to a baby boy.
In a chilling revelation, Fatmata testified that Bangura asked her to sacrifice their child for financial gain, a request she flatly refused. She managed to earn a living by doing hairdressing to survive.
The state was represented by AGM Bockerie, while Prince had no legal representation. The emotional intensity of the courtroom was strong as Fatmata concluded her testimony. The case has been adjourned to September 2024.
The public awaits further developments as the trial continues.
