By Feima Sesay
The former Minister 2 of Fiance Dr.Patricia Laverley was on Thursday 14 November, 2024 dragged to Court by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Nabeela Farida Tunis for alledgely assaulting her at State House.
The accused made her first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court no.2 on two count charges of “inflicting grevious bodily harm contrary to section 20 of the offense against the person’s act of 1861and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.”
The indictment stated that accused on 12 November, 2024, at State House , in Freetown, assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis , Minister of Tourism with intent to inflict grevious bodily harm on her.
The Court said that former Minister Laverley also assaulted Nabeela Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.
After the charges were read and explained to the former Minister, she pleaded not guilty of the offense.
The state Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay requested for an adjournment on grounds that he wanted time to fix his to Witnesses and said he will proceed with the matter on the next adjourned date.
Lead defense Lawyer for the accused , I. Yillah applied for bail on behalf of the accused by citing section 79(3)(4) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
He said the offenses charged against the former Minister Laverley
are bailable, adding that the accused was a public Officer who had held a cabinet position for four years.
He said his Client is a responsible citizen and not a flight risk ; adding that she is the head of the African development Bank atTanzania.
Prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay opposed to bail and referred to his affidavit he filed in opposing bail.
He said the offenses charged are grevious in nature and that the scene of crime happened at State House.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura before granting bail said he regards that the former Minister Laverley is working outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone and in consideration of the application made on her behalf by her lawyer granted her bail in the sum of One hundred thousand Leones with two sureties in like sum.
He said the sureties must be responsible citizens residing in Freetown and they must be certified by the Freetown City Council.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura said that the sureties must make an undertaking to the Court that they are going to ensure the appearance of the accused before the Court and the accused should not travel outside the country without any express permission from the office of the Master and Register.
The bail he ordered should be approved by the Master and register of the High Court.
The case comes up on the 20th November 2024.
It could be recalled that last week, a shocking brawl erupted between the Minister of Tourism Nabeela Tunis and ex deputy Minister of Finance Dr Patricia Laverley at the President’s office, State house over what many described as conflict of interest regarding the award of a contract.
Reports said the two ladies threw blows and punches but that the Tourism Minister suffered some upper cuts because Patricia was quick with her boxing skills and jabs like Mike Tyson .
Tunis retreated when spectators later intervened. But she is said to have suffered some heavy punches from her opponent who punished her almost to the floor.
The unprecedented incident is said to have been witnessed by several staff members of the President office and this has sent shockwaves across the country and raised serious questions about the stability of the Bio’s government.
Some observers say State house has become the unlikely scene of a bitter power struggle after a physical between the two ladies; as Patricia is facing criminal charges. This is said to have raised serious questions about President Bio’s ability to control his cabinet and appointees.
