Ex-Minister Arraigned for Allegedly Assaulting Tourism Minister
By Fatima Kpaka
The former Minister 2 of Finance Dr. Patricia Laverley was on Thursday, November 14, 2024, arraigned before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown over an allegation of assaulting the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Farida Tunis at State House.
The accused made her first appearance on two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the complainant contrary to section 20 of The Offense Against the Person’s Act of 1861 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.
The indictment stateS that accused on November 12, 2024, at State House in Freetown, assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis, Minister of Tourism, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.
The indictment further that former Minister Laverley also assaulted Nabeela Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
After the charges were read and explained to the former Minister, she pleaded not guilty to the offense.
The state Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested an adjournment present his witnesses.
Lead Defense Counsel I. Yillah applied for bail on behalf of the accused, citing section 79(3)(4) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
He said the offenses charged against the former Minister Laverley are bailable, adding that the accused was a public official who held a cabinet position 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 bail and referred to the affidavit he filed in opposition to bail.
He said the offenses are grievous and the scene of the crime happens to be State House.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura bail 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 said 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 Registrar of the High Court.
The matter comes up on November 20, 2024, for hearing.