FREETOWN, Oct 2, 2026 — Magistrate Saio Mamakoh Betty Kallon of Pademba Road Court No. 3 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of *Colonel Mohamed Suffian Kargbo* of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) after he failed to appear in court to answer to charges of wounding and assault.
The case was called on Thursday. Prosecuting counsel, Inspector Mohamed Kamara, applied for a bench warrant following the senior officer’s absence, a request which the court granted.
Defence counsel I.T.P. Bangura told the court that his client is currently out of the country and therefore could not be present.
In her ruling, Magistrate Kallon stressed that the court will not treat anyone differently because of rank or position.
“No individual is above the law,” she said, adding that the warrant is necessary to secure the accused’s attendance. She also directed that when Colonel Kargbo does appear, he must not appear in military uniform.
What the Charges Are
According to the charge sheet, the incident allegedly happened on April 11, 2025, at No. 33 Freetown Road, Lumley in western Freetown.
– Count 1: Maliciously wounding Sahr Gbonia, contrary to Section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
– Count 2: Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) against the same person.
Both offences carry significant jail terms if convicted. Section 20 wounding is an indictable offence that can attract up to 5 years imprisonment.
Under Sierra Leone law, Colonel Kargbo remains innocent until proven guilty.
The matter has now been adjourned to a later date in October for further hearing. If the military officer continues to evade the court, the warrant will empower the Sierra Leone Police to arrest him and bring him to court, even with support from the Military Police.
