By Fatima Kpaka
FREETOWN, September 29, 2026: Pademba Road Court No. 3 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Colonel Mohamed Suffian Kargbo after he failed to appear in court to answer charges of wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The warrant was issued on Tuesday by Magistrate Sahr Kekura Mamakoh Betty Kallon following an application by the prosecution, after the accused was absent from proceedings.
Colonel Kargbo is facing two criminal charges, including wounding, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly wounded Sahr Gbonia on April 11, 2025, at No. 33 Freetown Road, Lumley, in the Western Area of Freetown.
The second count alleges that on the same date and at the same location, Colonel Kargbo assaulted Gbonia, causing him actual bodily harm.
When the matter came up for hearing, defence counsel I.T.P. Bangura Esq. informed the court that his client was currently outside jurisdiction and was therefore unable to attend.
The prosecution, led by Inspector Mohamed Kamara, subsequently applied for a bench warrant to compel the accused’s appearance before the court.
In granting the application, Magistrate Kallon emphasized that the law applies equally to all citizens and ordered the issuance of a bench warrant for the colonel’s arrest.
The Magistrate further cautioned defence counsel to ensure that the accused does not appear before the court in military uniform when he returns for the next hearing.
The matter has been adjourned to October 2, 2026, for further proceedings.