Thirty-three-year-old businesswoman, Humunatu Agnes Gbla, made her second court appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown.

Gbla faces three serious charges: causing grievous bodily harm, wounding, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, all in violation of sections of the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.

According to police reports, the alleged incident took place on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, on Bassonage Street, Kissy, in the Western Area of Freetown.

Gbla is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named Ibrahim Habib Tarawalli, who is identified as her business partner. The charges also include allegations that she assaulted and wounded Tarawalli during the same incident.

During the court session, the first witness, Ibrahim Habib Tarawalli, testified against Gbla. He recounted that on the day of the incident, he received a call from Gbla’s husband, requesting him to collect a debt amounting to over one billion, one hundred and ninety-four thousand Leones. Tarawalli stated that when he contacted Gbla, she informed him that she had half of the money and asked him to meet her at her residence in Shell.

Upon arriving at the location, Tarawalli was invited inside by Gbla’s sister-in-law to negotiate the sale of vegetable oil he had brought. During the negotiation, a dispute arose when Gbla requested Tarawalli’s mobile phone, which he refused to hand over. According to Tarawalli, Gbla then took out a machete and attempted to strike him on the head.

He managed to block the attack with his left hand but sustained serious injuries. Tarawalli further claimed that Gbla’s sister-in-law pushed him towards Gbla, who attempted to stab him in the chest.

Tarawalli eventually escaped and sought help from a passerby, who took him to the Shell Police Station.

He was later issued a medical request form and received treatment at Rokupa Government Hospital. Photographic evidence of his injuries was also tendered in court as part of the proceedings.

After hearing the testimony, the defense counsel, R. Corker Esq., requested an adjournment to review the court file and renewed a previous bail application on behalf of the accused.

However, Magistrate Kekura denied the bail request, citing the seriousness of the charges, and ordered that Gbla be remanded at the Female Correctional Facility. The case has been adjourned to August 4, 2024, for further proceedings.