Businessman Remanded Over Assault and Loitering Charges

By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
The ongoing alleged assault case involving 32-year-old businessman Osman Kamara was again heard before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown.
The accused is facing two charges: Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and Loitering with Intent to Commit a Felony, contrary to Section 8 of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965.
According to the particulars of the offence, on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at Byrne Lane Drive in Freetown, Western Area, Osman Kamara allegedly assaulted Dauda Mansaray, thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.
The second count alleges that on the same date and at the same location, the defendant was found loitering with intent to commit a felony.
When the charges were read and explained to him, Kamara pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by Sergeant 3379 Ballay T, called its second witness, Detective Sergeant 10837 Lloyd M. George, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Congo Cross Police Station.
Detective Sergeant George testified that he recognized both the complainant and the defendant.
He recalled that on 20 May 2026, while on duty, the complainant and others were brought to the station, where a report of assault was made against the defendant.
He stated that he issued the complainant with a police medical report form, which was later endorsed and tendered in evidence as Exhibit A.
He further testified that he, together with DPC 13974 Johannes E., visited the crime scene and took photographs using his Android phone.
The witness further told the court that he obtained statements from the complainant and prosecution witnesses on the same date, which were tendered as Exhibits B1 and C1–C3.
He also obtained a caution statement from the defendant after cautioning and questioning him in Krio. The defendant’s responses were recorded in English.
At the conclusion of the interview, the statement was read and explained to him in Krio, after which he confirmed it to be true and correct by affixing his right thumbprint in the presence of Detective Sergeant 7929 Harding D.S., who witnessed the process.
The witness signed as the recorder, and the statement was tendered as Exhibits D1–D5.
Detective Sergeant George further testified that on 22 May 2026, the defendant was formally charged with the two offences. He was again cautioned and questioned in Krio, with his responses recorded in English. The statement was read back and explained to him in Krio, and he acknowledged it as true by affixing his right thumbprint before Detective Sergeant Harding.
The charged statement was tendered as Exhibits E1–E2. The defendant, who was not legally represented, did not cross-examine the prosecution witness.
At the conclusion of the proceedings, Magistrate John Manso Fornah remanded the defendant to the Male Correctional Centre in Freetown, citing the seriousness of the offences. The matter was adjourned to 1 July 2026 for further proceedings