By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Ibrahim Turay and Ishaka Turay; two brothers on Tuesday 23rd November this year appeared before Magistrate Mark Ngegba for wounding and assaulting two men Ishmail Kamara and Saidu Alie Kamara after fight broke out over a plot of land.
The father of the accused, Ishmael Turay testified in defence of his sons after being led by lawyer Elobah.
He said on the 19th October 2019, the complainant’s father, Saidu Alie Kamara reported his sons to the Lumley Police Station in Freetown.
He said the issue between his family and that of the Kamaras was over measurement on a plot of land. He said the measurement was ongoing when Ishmail confronted them with the notion that the plot does not belong to them but was an access road.
He said that the complainant abused Ibrahim, one of his sons who became angry and abused the complainant in return.
He said by that time the two squared up and a fight broke out which he said was started by the complainant who had slapped his son.
The defence witness said that people present at the scene later separated them.
He told the magistrate that the complainant went to the police to file a report and he also advised his sons to do the same.
During the cross-examination by Sergeant 10984 Hannah Newstead, the witness said although he met the complainant and his family at the neighbourhood, he claimed to have been occupying the said plot of land for over 20 years.
He added that when the complainant insulted him, he did not feel angry but it did not go down well with one of his sons.
He said that the distance between the complainant and his son was more than a yard before the fight ensued.
He confirmed in court it was a fist fight and no weapon was used and said he will be surprised if anyone says stone was used. He went further to say that it was only one of his sons that was involved in the fight.
The two brothers are in court to answer to eight count charges bordering on wounding with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Ishmail Kamara and Saidu Alie Kamara.
Magistrate Ngegba adjourned the matter to next week with both accused on bail.
Copyright © Politico Online 24/11/21
