By Mamajah Jalloh
On Thursday, January 9, 2025, Valeria Jusu, an engineer, Sylvia Jebbeh Rogers, a student from Njala Campus in Bo Town, and Salomie Dyfan, a student, were brought before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on charges of torturing, beating, and peppering Milicent Coomber.
The accused individuals faced five charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime, wounding with intent, causing grievous bodily harm, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. According to the charge sheet, the three accused—Valeria Jusu, Sylvia Jebbeh Rogers, and Salomie Dyfan—are accused of conspiring to commit a crime on November 13, 2024, at ISU Camp, RTI Layout, Kenema Town, Nongowa Chiefdom, in the Kenema District.
The police further alleged that the accused persons maliciously wounded Milicent Coomber with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on the same date and location. Additionally, they are accused of assaulting and causing grievous bodily harm to Milicent Coomber.
Prosecutors DSP Sorie Conteh and ASP Wellington represented the case, with defense counsels including Claud Campbell, A. Maddie, M. Kabba, and M.L.O. Thompson. Lawyer James Fornah Sesay served as the lead defense counsel for the accused persons.
When the charges were read, no plea was taken by the accused. Milicent Coomber, the complainant and first prosecution witness, testified that she is a researcher and recognized Valeria Jusu as the wife of her cousin. She also identified the other accused on the day of the incident.
Coomber described the traumatic events of November 13, 2024, when she was at her cousin’s home in Kenema preparing to go to work. As she was about to leave, she encountered the accused, along with a man named Osman, who was holding ground pepper and a needle. Coomber claimed the first accused, Valeria Jusu, confronted her with abusive language, threatening to kill her, and then the three women began to beat her severely.
In her testimony, Coomber recounted being physically assaulted by the accused. She described how the first accused bit her on the back, the second on her tongue, and they dragged her outside, pouring pepper on her face and other parts of her body. The third accused reportedly placed pepper in Coomber’s private area while Osman filmed the entire incident using the first accused’s phone. Coomber tearfully told the court how she was nearly killed and how the cleaner, Massa, attempted to intervene but was overpowered.
Coomber described how she was beaten to the point of unconsciousness, and during the assault, she was coerced by the first accused into making a false statement. She recalled that the first accused even requested acid from Osman to pour on her.
The video of the assault was later sent to Coomber’s husband and circulated on social media. The witness recalled that a former police officer and the local chief arrived at the scene, and it was the chief who called the police. The police later took photos of the victim’s injuries.
Coomber lost consciousness but later woke up in a hospital, where she received medical attention. She was admitted to the hospital and received treatment, which was documented in a medical report. The report was identified by Coomber during her testimony. She later filed a report with the police in Kenema, and the case was transferred to CID Freetown for further investigation.
Prosecution witness Issa Kamara, a Sergeant at the Grafton Police Barracks, testified that on December 9, 2024, he received exhibits related to the case, including black hair, an old iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a flash drive, all of which were presented as evidence.
The defense applied for bail, arguing that the accused were Sierra Leoneans with strong ties to the country, including family and education. They further claimed that the accused are remorseful and ready to prove their innocence. The prosecution objected, stating that despite their family circumstances, the gravity of the charges must be considered.
Magistrate Bangura granted bail in the sum of 100,000 Leones with two sureties for each accused. The sureties must be responsible citizens, employed, and provide proof of employment. The bail conditions must be approved by the Deputy Assistant Registrar. The trial will continue on January 15, 2025.
