By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a case that has rocked the capital, a disabled man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing his wife, in what authorities are describing as a tragic escalation of domestic violence. Abubakarr Mansaray, a beggar, broke down in tears as he was handed his sentence by Acting Chief Justice Nicholas Browne Marke at the Freetown High Court on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
The 2022 incident that led to Mansaray’s conviction has left a community in shock. On December 24, 2022, Mansaray brutally assaulted his wife, Aminata Kamara, after a series of arguments over food and his demands for sex. The tragic chain of events began the day before when Mansaray, frustrated by Kamara’s refusal to cook or engage in intimacy, reportedly began to beat her mercilessly. She fled outside, crying for help, but fate had other plans.
A neighbor tried to intervene, urging Kamara to return inside to avoid further conflict, but the couple’s quarrel intensified. Soon after, a military officer rushed Kamara to the hospital, but the damage had been done. She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, sending shockwaves through their neighborhood.
Courtroom drama ensued as Mansaray, facing a single count of manslaughter, pleaded guilty. During his tearful confession, Mansaray expressed deep regret, admitting he never intended to take his wife’s life. But the emotional testimony and remorse were not enough to save him from a lengthy prison sentence.
Prosecutor S.T. Kekura detailed the gruesome events leading up to the fatal beating, highlighting that Mansaray’s violent tendencies emerged after his sexual advances were twice rejected. Tensions built over two days, turning a typical domestic argument into a deadly outburst.
In a chilling reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence, Chief Justice Browne Marke condemned the attack in court. “It is unacceptable for men to beat women. This sentence will serve as a warning to any man who thinks he can raise his hand against his wife,” he declared.
The case has sparked heated debates about gender-based violence, the treatment of women, and the pressures facing those living in poverty. Mansaray’s defense lawyer, R. Samba, argued for leniency, emphasizing his client’s status as a first-time offender and pleading with the court to consider his disability and time already served.
Despite these pleas, the court made it clear that violence has no excuse. Mansaray will now spend the next 12 years behind bars, left to reflect on the consequences of a deadly decision that destroyed two lives.
This case has sparked wider conversations across Sierra Leone, with calls for stricter laws on domestic violence and more protection for vulnerable women like Aminata Kamara, whose tragic story ended in an all-too-familiar way. Will this tragedy serve as the wake-up call the nation needs to take stronger action against violence at home?