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The particulars of offence note that Osman Bangura attempted to kill himself. On interviewing him upon his discharge he alleged his step mother came up with the allegation to settle scores.
The accused was arrested in April 2018 and held at the Waterloo Police Station while he was being investigated for attempting to commit suicide. Preliminary Investigation was done at the Magistrate Court in Waterloo and the matter was committed to the High Court. He was remanded at the Pademba Road Correctional Center where he spent nearly five months until his discharge on 19 September 2018.
Following his discharge, Osman was briefed at the Legal Aid Board on civic education and human rights. The Board’s Paralegal, Komrabai Dumbuya was assigned to him to help reunite him with his sister in Waterloo and also meet with the local chiefs to facilitate a smooth return for him.
He was given a hundred thousand Leone (US$12) as pocket money while the Board contact the relevant ministry and agencies that could provide assistance to him. ‘We will contact the Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for an operation to help him regain his sight and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Disability Commission regarding accommodation and other forms of assistance,’ the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles said.
