Senior Military Officer Faces Arrest Warrant Over Wounding and Assault Charges
Sahid Bangura Magistrate Saio Mamakoh Betty Kallon of Pademba Road Court No. 3 has reportedly issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Colonel Mohamed Suffian Kargbo of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) after he failed to appear in court to answer charges of wounding and assault.
The warrant was issued after prosecuting counsel, Inspector Mohamed Kamara, applied for it following Colonel Kargbo’s absence when the matter came before the court. The application was granted by Magistrate Kallon.
Defence counsel I.T.P. Bangura informed the court that Colonel Kargbo was currently out of the country and was therefore unable to attend the hearing.
In issuing the warrant, Magistrate Kallon stressed that the court would not make distinctions based on an individual’s rank or position, emphasising that everyone is subject to the law.
“No individual is above the law,” the Magistrate said, explaining that the warrant was necessary to secure the accused’s attendance in court.
The court also directed that when Colonel Kargbo appears, he must do so without wearing military uniform.
The charges against the senior military officer relate to an alleged incident on 11 April 2025 at No. 33 Freetown Road, Lumley, in western Freetown.
He is accused of maliciously wounding Sahr Gbonia, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against the same complainant.
The wounding charge is an indictable offence that carries a possible custodial sentence upon conviction. Colonel Kargbo, however, remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court.
The matter has been adjourned to a later date in October for further proceedings. The bench warrant authorises the Sierra Leone Police to arrest and bring Colonel Kargbo before the court to answer to the charges.