Entertainer testifies in court against Kao Denero and crew for alleged assault at Star Zee event

Before the Magistrate Court, renowned entertainer Michael Williams has provided testimony in a significant assault case involving musician Kao Denero and his associates. The defendants are accused of assaulting fellow artist Fredrick Peters during a major event.

The accused, Amidu Sesay and Mohamed H. Kargbo, also known as Med Denero, face a seven-count indictment before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah. The charges include conspiracy, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, disorderly conduct, and intimidation, all alleged to have occurred in violation of Sierra Leonean law.

According to the charge sheet, the incident occurred on February 22, 2025, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, during an event hosted by female artist Star Zee. The defendants are accused of orchestrating an attack resulting in the assault of musicians Fredrick Dapaye Peters, popularly known as Famous, and Ibrahim Fofanah.

In his testimony, Williams stated that he accompanied Peters to the event. Upon arrival, they encountered an associate of Kao Denero who made physical contact with Peters, but they chose to ignore the incident and proceeded inside. While waiting by the poolside, Williams asserted that Kao Denero and his team approached them in an aggressive manner.

Williams alleged that Kao Denero instructed his associates to use pepper spray against Peters, and that Kao himself discharged pepper spray into his own eyes. During the ensuing commotion, Williams stated he fell while trying to escape the situation, resulting in damage to his phone. He further testified that Peters subsequently received treatment with cassava leaves applied to his eyes, and photographs were taken of him in that condition.

Williams additionally stated that Star Zee later apologized to Peters regarding the incident.

The prosecution attempted to present the aforementioned photographs as evidence, but the defense objected, arguing that the phone used to capture the images was dated June 6, several months after the incident. The prosecution clarified that the initial phone submitted was incorrect and that the correct device had only recently been retrieved.

Magistrate Jah ruled that the correct device must be submitted as evidence and adjourned the case to July 21, 2025, for further proceedings. The accused remain in custody at the Male Correctional Center.