Former Minister of Finance Patricia Laverley’s Lawyer has pleaded for extension of time in the alleged assault matter involving his client Patricia Laverley which came up again on Wednesday 5th February, 2025 before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2.
During proceedings, the accused lawyer M. S Koroma pleaded with the court for an extension of time for his client based on the earlier order given by the High Court for her to go for medical leave in Ghana.
Lawyer Koroma told the court that they have gone to the high Court again seeking for another three months extension for his client who is in Ghana for medical treatment to continue.
The High court order for medical leave according to the defence counsel was granted by Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Steven on 6th December 2024 for the accused Patricia Laverley to travel to Ghana to undertake Coronary Angiogram procedure at the St. Michael’s specialist hospital Lapaz, Accra in Ghana since the procedure is not available in Sierra Leone.
The learned judge has further granted the application of the defense for extension of time for the accused for medical treatment.
State counsel Yusuf Isaac Sesay did not object to the application made by defense counsel.
Magistrate Santigie Bangura therefore adjourned the matter to the 5th May, 2025.
Patricia Laverley was arraigned before the court on two count charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm contrary to section 20 of the Offenses against the Persons Act of 1861 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to law.
The charge sheet indicated that Patricia Laverley on 12th November, 2024 at State House in Freetown assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis the Minister of Tourism with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on her.
The charge sheet furthered that Patricia Laverley on the same day and place assaulted Nabella Farida Tunis in a manner thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.