The district of Kabala in Sierra Leone is reeling after Magistrate Hadiru Daboh ordered the detention of Kankamusa Sesay, a well-known and respected herbalist, at the Kabala Correctional Center.
Court documents reveal that the incident began when Bai Kamara hired Sesay to identify the thief who had stolen money from his shop.
In a ritual intended to expose the culprit, a pot containing fire was placed on the stomach of Kolleh Mansaray, the suspected thief.
The ritual went awry, causing severe burns to Mansaray, who suffered serious injuries as a result.
Both Kamara and Sesay now face multiple charges, including Conspiracy Contrary to Law, Wounding with Intent Contrary to Section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, Wounding Contrary to Section 20 of the same Act, and Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm Contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
The community is in shock as the case unfolds, drawing attention to the practices of traditional healers and the severe consequences that can arise from such rituals.
