Twenty eight years old Ibrahim Fofanah, a stone miner has been ar- eraigned before Magistrate Peter Gogra of Pademba Road Court No.6 in Freetown on two count charges of wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861 and assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Sec- tion 47 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861.

It was stated on the police charge sheet that on Tuesday, 8th Novem- ber, 2022 at Phase 1 Ghangbayillah, Hill Station, in the mountain rural district, West of Freetown, the accused maliciously wounded and assaulted one Egarton Arnold Jones in a manner thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

The charges were read and ex- plained to the accused person and he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Sergeant 1462 Amiza John informed the Bench that her witness is present but was yet to have proper conference with her Counsel representing the accused, A.T Mansaray applied for bail for and on behalf of his client on the grounds that he is a Sierra Leonean resident within the jurisdiction.

He further stated that his client has reliable sureties who are willing and ready to go into recognisance on Defense counsel said his client will not interfere with prosecution witness or witnesses nor will he jump bail.

He made his application pursuant to Section 79(3) of the Criminal Pro- cedure Act No.32 of 1965.

Having heard the application for bail, Magistrate Gogra granted the accused bail in the sum of twenty million Leones

He said the sureties are to be resident in the Western Area and must produce valid identity cards depicting their addresses in Freetown.

Magistrate Gogra further stated that one of the sureties should be employed in a government institu- tion in Sierra Leone and that his bail must be approved by him ( the bench