FREETOWN – Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No. 2 has warned former Finance Minister Patricia Laverly that she risks being remanded if she fails to appear for her next court session on December 4, 2024.
The warning comes after Laverly missed several hearings, citing health issues.
Laverly is facing charges of grievous bodily harm and assault related to an alleged incident at State House on November 12, 2024. She is accused of attacking Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabella Farida Tunis during an altercation.
At the latest hearing, Laverly’s lawyer, Jenkins Johnson, informed the court that she is currently hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Choithram Hospital following a heart attack. He urged the court to verify her medical condition.
However, Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay contested the defense’s claims, arguing that Laverly’s prolonged absence was unjustified. He called for a bench warrant to ensure her attendance if she failed to appear at the next sitting.
Magistrate Bangura stressed the importance of justice and cautioned that Laverly’s sureties could also face repercussions should she remain absent.
Dr. Laverly, a seasoned professional with academic qualifications from the United States and the United Kingdom, previously served as the African Development Bank’s Tanzania Country Representative. Her appointment in 2021 was credited to her extensive knowledge of East African operations and her high-level negotiation expertise, honed during her tenure as a government minister in Sierra Leone.
The court has adjourned proceedings to December 4, underscoring that Laverly’s presence is crucial to advancing the case.
