Patricia Laverley Faces Charges of Bodily Harm in Court No 2
By Mamajah Jalloh
On Thursday, November 14th, 2024, Patricia Laverley, a representative for the African Development Bank in Tanzania, made her first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2. She faces two charges: Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm, contrary to the law.
According to the particulars of the offence, on November 12th, 2024, at State House, Dr. Laverley is accused of assaulting Nabella Farida Tunis with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. The second count alleges that, on the same date and at the same location, Dr. Laverley assaulted Tunis in a manner that caused actual bodily harm.
When the charges were read and explained, Dr. Laverley pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution’s Request
The lead prosecutor, Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq., requested a date for further proceedings to allow time for their witnesses to testify.
Defence’s Bail Application
I.S. Yillah, representing Dr. Laverley, made submissions before the magistrate regarding the bail application. Yillah argued that Dr. Laverley should be granted bail in accordance with Section 79, subsections 3 and 4, of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 32 of 1965. He noted that he had been served with an affidavit opposing bail but emphasized that it was within the magistrate’s discretion to grant bail. Yillah further argued that Dr. Laverley, a former cabinet minister in the Ministry of Finance for four years and currently the head of the African Development Bank in Tanzania, is a responsible citizen who respects the law. He stated that there is no evidence suggesting that his client is a flight risk.
Yillah appealed to the magistrate to grant bail, asserting that Dr. Laverley had never been involved in criminal activity and would comply with any conditions set by the court.
Prosecution’s Opposition to Bail
The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application, filing an affidavit in response. Sesay argued that given the gravity of the offence and the fact that the incident occurred at State House, where the victim is a sitting Cabinet Minister, the accused should not be granted bail. He emphasized that while the law is impartial, Dr. Laverley, due to her position and public profile, should be held to a higher standard of conduct.
Sesay urged the court to consider the interests of justice and reject the bail application, stressing that the law must prevail.
Magistrate’s Decision
Magistrate Bangura, while acknowledging the seriousness of the crime at State House, ultimately decided to grant bail. The accused was granted bail in the sum of One Hundred Thousand Leones (100,000) with two sureties of the same amount. The sureties must be responsible citizens residing in greater Freetown, and they must be certified by the Freetown City Council as their constituents. Additionally, the sureties must undertake to ensure the accused’s appearance in court, and Dr. Laverley is prohibited from traveling outside the country without explicit permission from the office of the Master and Registrar.
The magistrate’s decision was contingent on approval from the Master and Registrar.
The case has been adjourned to November 20th, 2024, for further proceedings.
