Defense Lawyer Requests Medical Extension for Former Finance Minister Accused of Assaulting Tourism Minister
Kadijatu Barrie The defense lawyer for former Minister of Finance, Patricia Laverley, appeared before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, to request an extension of time for Laverley, following a prior High Court order that permitted her to travel to Ghana for medical treatment.
Laverley faces accusations of assaulting Minister of Tourism Nebella Tunis. During the proceedings, her defense lawyer, M. S. Koroma, cited a previous order granted by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Steven on December 6, 2024, which permitted Laverley to travel to Accra for a coronary angiogram—a procedure that is unavailable in Sierra Leone.
The judge approved the defense’s request for an extension, and State Counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay accepted the application. Consequently, Magistrate Bangura adjourned the matter until May 5, 2025.
Patricia Laverley is charged with two offenses: infliction of grievous bodily harm, contrary to Section 20 of the Offenses Against the Person Act of 1861, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
According to the charge sheet, she allegedly assaulted Minister Tunis on November 12, 2024, at State House in Freetown, with the intent to cause bodily injury. She is also accused of assaulting Tunis in a manner that resulted in actual bodily harm.