By Mamajah Jalloh
FREETOWN – Humunatu Agnes Gbla, a 33-year-old businesswoman, appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 on Thursday, September 12, 2024, facing three serious charges: causing grievous bodily harm with intent, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
According to the charges, on August 7, 2024, at Parsonage Street, Kissy in the Western Area of Freetown, Gbla is alleged to have inflicted grievous bodily harm on Ibrahim Habib Tarawalie with intent to cause him serious injury. The indictment further accuses Gbla of maliciously wounding Tarawalie and assaulting him in a manner that resulted in actual bodily harm.
During the court proceedings, the charges were read to Gbla, but she did not enter a plea.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Ibrahim S. Mansaray presented prosecution witness Raynatu Conteh, a businesswoman who is married to the complainant. Conteh testified that she received information on August 7, 2024, about her husband’s injury and went to the Shell Police Station. There, she found Tarawalie severely injured and unable to speak. Conteh subsequently took photographs of Tarawalie’s injuries with her Samsung Galaxy phone, which was admitted as Exhibit A. She also accompanied Tarawalie to Rokupa Hospital and confirmed the authenticity of the photographs.
Defense Counsel Anthony Freeman Earl Augustus Coker cross-examined Conteh, questioning her whereabouts on the day of the incident. Conteh stated she was at home during the alleged assault and denied that Gbla and Tarawalie had any prior business dealings before this incident. Counsel also challenged the witness’s claim that she did not take photos at the scene of the assault, but Conteh maintained her account was accurate.
Counsel for the accused renewed his bail application, but Magistrate Kekura denied the request based on the evidence presented. The case was adjourned to September 19, 2024.
