By Elizabeth Kamara
Dr. Patricia Laverley, former Minister of Finance and current African Development Bank Representative in Tanzania, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing charges related to an alleged assault on Tourism Minister Nabella Farida Tunis.
Dr. Laverley is charged with two offenses under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861: Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm, contrary to Section 20, Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to the same Act.
According to the prosecution, on November 12, 2024, at State House, Dr. Laverley assaulted Minister Tunis with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The second charge alleges she caused actual bodily harm during the same incident.
When the charges were read, Dr. Laverley pleaded not guilty.
Lead prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested an adjournment to allow witnesses to testify. Representing the accused, defense counsel I.S. Yillah appealed for bail under Section 79 (3 and 4) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965.
Yillah argued that Dr. Laverley is a law-abiding citizen with a distinguished career, including serving as Finance Minister for four years.
He noted that she currently heads the African Development Bank in Tanzania and is not a flight risk. Yillah assured the court that his client would respect any bail conditions imposed.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, emphasizing the severity of the case and the fact that the alleged assault occurred at State House, involving a serving Cabinet Minister.
Sesay argued that granting bail could undermine the seriousness of the matter, reminding the court that the law applies equally to all, regardless of status.
After considering the arguments, Magistrate Bangura granted bail to Dr. Laverley under strict conditions. Bail was set at NLe100,000 (old Le100,000,000), with two sureties who must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown.
The sureties must be verified by the Freetown City Council as constituents and must undertake to ensure Dr. Laverley’s court appearances.
The accused must not travel outside Sierra Leone without explicit permission from the Office of the Master and Registrar.
Bail approval is subject to verification by the Master and Registrar.
Magistrate Bangura emphasized the importance of upholding decorum at State House, noting that such incidents should not occur in any circumstance.
The case has been adjourned to November 20, 2024, for further proceedings.
