By Alieu Amara Suwu
After failing to appear in court again, Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Monday, 2nd December 2024, made an order again that the former Deputy Minister 2, Patricia Laverley, be brought to court on the next adjourned date, or else he would remand both sureties at the correctional center.
This order came after defense counsel Leon Jenkins Johnson informed the court that the accused is still at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Choithram and thus asked that the court move to the hospital to see that the former minister is hospitalized.
He further apologized to the court for her absence, adding that she is still in the ICU because she is suffering from a heart attack. He requested the court to go and confirm the health status of the former minister.
Defense Counsel, on the other hand, informed the magistrate that they were able to initiate communication between the family of the victim, Minister Nabela, and the family of the accused, Laverley, even though they have not come to a conclusion. He said they were well received by the family of the victim and apologized to the victim, saying she is one of the best serving ministers.
Defense Johnson further that they want the former minister to be in court to do the needful, but they needed sufficient time for her to sort out her medical issues. He continued that they would like the former minister to be in court in a fit and proper manner.
Jenkins pleaded with the magistrate to give them time so that the accused would be in a better state of health to be in court.
He said she was in court on the first date, but since then she has been unwell.
He pleaded that they will ensure that the matter be resolved as quickly as possible.
Yusuf Isaac Sesay, in response, said there is a court order, and they are looking forward to the compliance of that order, which was instructive.
He said as state counsel they are not adverse to anything that will hinder justice.
He said during the first appearance the former minister, Laverley, was in court, and she pleaded not guilty to the offense when the charges were read and explained to her.
State counsel Yusuf Sesay further states that the former minister cannot be under oxygen from 17 November up till now in December, which is not possible.
He said the apology of the former minister should not be taken, noting that the former minister, in an open court, pleaded not guilty, and now she cannot go through the back door to beg.
State counsel Sesay further stated that the defense is playing on their intelligence while emphasizing that the former minister should be seen in court; if not, the bench warrant should be enforced.
Defense counsel argued that what the state counsel wants is what they also want—for the matter to be resolved—but said the bench warrant for the former minister should not be issued so that the former minister will not come to court and collapse.
Magistrate Santigie, after listening to both sides, said the defense is the one prolonging the matter. He said justice is for both sides; hence, if the former minister is seriously sick, as stated by the defense, she should be in court for everyone to see, and if it turns out to be true, he has the right to make the necessary orders.
Lead defense counsel Johnson further stated that the court should move to Choithram to verify the situation of the accused.
State counsel Sesay opposed that, saying the defense counsel brought a medical report before the court, and the court ordered the doctor to be in court to ascertain the report, but they have refused.
He said the defense is afraid for the former minister not to collapse in court, but they are not afraid for her to travel to Ghana for medical treatment, which has several struggles.
The magistrate said he will not talk to both sides but will talk to the sureties as they understand what was written on the bail conditions.
He therefore ordered both sureties that if the former minister does not appear in court on Wednesday, they, the sureties, will be detained.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, 4th December, 2024.
It could be recalled that the former minister Patricia Laverley was arraigned before the court on two counts of charges, ranging from inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to section 20 of the offense against the Person’s Act 1861 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The indictment states that the former minister, Laverley, on the 12th of November, 2024, at State House in Freetown, assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.
The indictment further states that the former minister, Laverley, on the same day and in the same place, assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
