A magistrate in Mile 91 has committed a 26-year-old man to the High Court in Moyamba to face trial over allegations that he stabbed his wife, leaving her with multiple injuries.

His Worship Magistrate Harold Kamara issued the ruling on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Case No. C/S 273/2026, committing Hassan Kalokoh of Mile 91 Town after finding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case. The accused was represented by Counsel Ms. A.S. Somalia, while Sub-Inspector I.F. Bangura Esq. prosecuted the matter.

Kalokoh faces three charges: wounding with intent under Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861; wounding under Section 20 of the same Act; and psychological abuse contrary to Section 2(2)(1)(c) of the Domestic Violence Act No. 20 of 2007.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses occurred on July 3, 2026, at the SDA Primary School in Mile 91 Town. Prosecutors allege that Kalokoh wounded his wife, Mariama Kamara, whom they said he had been married to for 16 years, with the intent to maim, disfigure or disable her. He is also accused of maliciously wounding and psychologically abusing her.

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During the committal proceedings, prosecutors presented several exhibits, including a medical report identified as Exhibit A. The report stated that the complainant sustained multiple lacerations, including two wounds to the neck measuring 5x2x10 cm and 3×1 cm, as well as injuries to her left arm measuring 6×3 cm and 2×3 cm. The report also documented active bleeding from her neck.

The prosecution also tendered a color photograph, marked Exhibit B, which allegedly showed the complainant bleeding from injuries to her neck and other parts of her body. A kitchen knife with a red handle, marked as Exhibit J, was presented as the alleged weapon used in the attack.

Mariama Kamara, testifying as the first prosecution witness, told the court that the defendant grabbed her by the neck before stabbing her with a kitchen knife in the neck, chest and hand. She said she attempted to wrestle the knife away but was overpowered and managed to escape while bleeding heavily.

The second prosecution witness, Ibrahim Mohamed Kamara, testified that he responded after hearing cries for help and found the complainant bleeding from injuries to her neck, chest and hand. He said he assisted in taking her first to the police station and later to the hospital.

Alusine Kalokoh, the third prosecution witness, told the court that he witnessed the assault and intervened after observing the complainant’s injuries. He testified that he saw the defendant holding a bloodstained knife immediately after the incident.

The fourth prosecution witness, Sallieu Kalokoh, said she found the complainant lying in a pool of blood after hearing her cries and joined others in taking her to the police station.

Prosecutors also tendered the defendant’s voluntary cautioned statement, marked as Exhibits G1-G10. According to the prosecution, Kalokoh admitted in the statement that Mariama Kamara was his wife of 16 years and said he became angry over what he described as her disrespectful behavior, fought with her and wounded her.

In his ruling, Magistrate Kamara emphasized that the purpose of committal proceedings was not to determine guilt or innocence but to decide whether sufficient evidence existed for the matter to proceed to the High Court.

The magistrate said the medical report and photographic evidence were consistent with injuries caused by a sharp object. He further found that the complainant’s testimony was materially corroborated by the evidence of the three other prosecution witnesses, including testimony placing the defendant at the scene with the alleged weapon.

The court also noted that defense counsel declined to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses or challenge the evidence presented.

“Having reviewed the entirety of the evidence, I find that there is credible evidence linking the defendant to each of the offences charged. The evidence is neither inherently weak nor so discredited that no reasonable tribunal could act upon it,” the Magistrate stated.

“Accordingly, I am satisfied that the prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to answer before the High Court.”

Acting under Section 113(2)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024, Magistrate Kamara committed Kalokoh to stand trial before the High Court in Moyamba. He ordered that the defendant remain in lawful custody pending trial unless granted bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.