Bench Warrant Issued for Military Officer Facing Wounding and Assault Charges
A Freetown magistrate has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of a senior military officer after he failed to appear in court to face charges of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The case against Colonel Mohamed Suffian Kargbo of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces was called before Magistrate Saio Mamakoh Betty Kallon at Pademba Road Court No. 3. Prosecuting counsel Inspector Mohamed Kamara requested the bench warrant following the accused's absence.
Defence counsel I.T.P. Bangura informed the court that Colonel Kargbo was currently out of the country. Granting the prosecutor's application, Magistrate Kallon emphasized the court's commitment to equal justice, stating that no individual remains above the law.
The charges stem from an alleged incident on April 11, 2025, at No. 33 Freetown Road, Lumley. According to court records, the first count alleges that Colonel Kargbo maliciously wounded Sahr Gbonia, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. The second count accuses him of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the same individual.
In addition to issuing the warrant to secure the officer's attendance, Magistrate Kallon instructed the defence counsel to ensure that Colonel Kargbo does not appear in military uniform when he attends future court proceedings.
The proceedings have been adjourned to October 2, 2026. Under Sierra Leone law, Colonel Kargbo is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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