Rapper Granted Bail After Prosecution Closes Case

Rapper John Koroma has been granted bail by Magistrate Idrissa A. Kamara of Ross Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, following the conclusion of the prosecution’s evidence in a case involving allegations of wounding and assault.

Koroma faces two charges: wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 47 of the same Act.

The allegations stem from an incident on August 5, 2026, at 238 Bai Bureh Road, Wellington, Freetown, where Koroma is accused of maliciously wounding and assaulting Sarian George, allegedly causing her physical injuries.

During the latest proceedings, the prosecution called its final witness, DPC 14860 Bockarie Anthony, a police officer attached to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Congo Water Police Post.

Testifying before Magistrate Kamara, DPC Anthony identified both the complainant and the accused. He told the court that on August 5, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the complainant arrived at the police post accompanied by Koroma to report the alleged assault.

The officer said he was instructed by his superior, Inspector Alie Kamara, to photograph the complainant’s injuries. Using his Tecno Spark 40 mobile phone, he took photographs of the injuries, which were subsequently presented to the court as evidence.

During cross-examination, defence counsel Y. Conteh questioned the witness about his qualifications and the equipment used to take the photographs.

When asked whether he was a professional photographer, DPC Anthony replied: “I’m a police officer.”

Counsel further questioned the officer about the absence of a professional camera and whether the use of a mobile phone could exaggerate the appearance of the injuries.

The witness maintained that no specialised camera was available and insisted that the photographs accurately represented the injuries he observed.

He also confirmed that the complainant’s face appeared badly injured and denied that the photographs had been exaggerated.

The prosecution subsequently applied for the photographs to be admitted in evidence as Exhibit E, with the mobile phone used to take them also tendered before the court.

With all prosecution witnesses having testified, the prosecution closed its case.

The defence then informed the court of its intention to open its case at the next sitting. Defence counsel also raised concerns over an affidavit served by the prosecution, stating that documentary evidence relating to the actions of the complainant had not been provided.

The complainant was not present in court during the proceedings.

Magistrate Kamara subsequently granted Koroma bail subject to specific conditions.

The court ordered Koroma to provide three sureties, all of whom must possess valid National Identification Cards. One of the sureties must be an Imam holding a certificate in Islamic education or a Pastor with a theological certificate.

The remaining two sureties must be executive members of the Eastern Artists Union and provide proof of their membership. They are also required to reside within the communities of both the complainant and the accused.

The conditions are intended to ensure Koroma’s attendance at future court proceedings and compliance with the court’s directives as the case proceeds.

Koroma is expected to return to court on the next scheduled date, when the defence is expected to begin presenting its case.