By Thomas Dixon –
Patricia Laverley, a Representative of African Development Bank in Tanzania on Thursday, 14th November, 2024, made her first appearance before magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on two count charges of Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm Contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and Assault Occasionally Actual Bodily Harm, Contrary to section to law.
According to the particulars of offence on 12th November, 2024, at state house, the accused assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis, the current Minister of Tourism with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.
That on the date and place above, she assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and explained to the accused person, she pleaded not guilty.
The Led Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq requested for a date to enable their witnesses to proceeds with this matter.
Ibrahim Sorie Yillah, representing the accused made submission to the Magistrate that before granting the prosecutor request, the accused should be admitted to a bail according to Section 79, 3 and 4 of the Criminal Procedures Act No (32) of 1965.
He disclosed to the court that he was served with an affidavit in opposition to bail but that bail is the discretion of the Magistrate.
He furthered that the accused (Dr. Laverley) has been a public servant who was in a cabinet position in Finance Ministry and held the position for four years, noting that she is a responsible citizen who respects the law, and the affidavit received therein was not a statement that her client is a flight risk.
He added that Dr. Laverley is presently the Head of African Development Bank in Tazania.
He appeal to the magistrate to grant bail to her client and that they will respect any bail condition that the Magistrate would give to exercise his discretion as he also respects the gravity of the matter.
The Prosecution Lawyer opposed to bail, noting that they have filed an affidavit in opposition to bail to the defense
He said that despite bail is the discretion of the magistrate, the scene of crime was at State House and the victim is a serving Cabinet Minister.
He explained that although the defense made reference to the personality of the accused but that the law is not a respecter of a person, pointing out that the accused ought to know better.
Sesay respectfully urged the Magistrate that it will be in the best interest of the court to make it known that the law is supreme over everybody, asking the court to discontinuance the bail application made by the defense counsel.
Meanwhile, magistrate Bangura agreed with the counsel that the scene of crime was state house but granted bail in the sum of One Hundred Thousand Leones (100,000) with two sureties like sum.
That the sureties must be responsible citizens, residents here in greater Freetown and must be certified by the Freetown City Council to be their constituents.
The sureties must make undertakings to the court that they were going to ensure the appearance of the accused before the court in addition to those contained in the bail form available in the court.
The accused shall not travel outside the country without an expressed permission of the office of the master and registrar.
“These bail conditions are to be approved by the master and Registrar,” the magistrate ordered.
The case has been adjourned to the 20th of November, 2024, for further proceedings.
