Mother, Two Daughters Granted Bail Over Alleged Assault in Freetown
Sahid Bangura A mother and her two daughters have been granted bail after pleading not guilty to charges of alleged wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and public insult and provocation in Freetown.
Emile Gbaow, 51, a businesswoman, and her daughters, Joyah Tarawally, 18, and Esther Tarawally, 20, appeared before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No. 1.
The three accused are facing a three-count charge in connection with an alleged incident involving Isatu Timbo on January 7, 2026, in the Western Area of Freetown.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly maliciously wounded and assaulted Timbo, causing her actual bodily harm. They are also accused of using insulting words in public with the intention of provoking a breach of the peace.
When the charges were read in court, all three defendants pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor DPC Brima Kargbo requested a short adjournment to allow the defence to receive copies of the complete case file and other inquiry materials.
Defence counsel A. R. Gbla subsequently applied for bail under Section 76(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024. He told the court that the accused are permanent residents of Sierra Leone within the court’s jurisdiction and would not interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Magistrate Jah granted each of the three accused bail in the sum of SLE 20,000, with one surety in a similar amount for each defendant.
The court further ordered that each surety must reside within the Freetown jurisdiction, produce valid identification and obtain approval from the Deputy Assistant Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned to October 5, 2026, for further proceedings. The allegations against the three defendants remain before the court and have yet to be determined.