By Mohamed Muckson Sesay (The One)
August 3, 2026: The Magistrate Court Holden at Mile 91 has committed Hassan Kalokoh of Mile 91 Town to stand trial before the High Court in Moyamba after finding that the prosecution established a prima facie case against him in connection with the alleged stabbing and psychological abuse of his wife.
The ruling was delivered on Monday, August 3, 2026, by His Worship Magistrate Harold Kamara in C/S 273/2026, between the Inspector-General of Police and Hassan Kalokoh.
Kalokoh faces three counts: 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 Psychological Abuse, contrary to Section 2(2)(1)(c) of the Domestic Violence Act No. 20 of 2007.
According to the particulars of the allegations, the incident occurred on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the SDA Primary School in Mile 91 Town, Yoni Mamailia Chiefdom. The prosecution alleges that Kalokoh unlawfully wounded his wife, Mariama Kamara, with intent to maim, disfigure or disable her, and also subjected her to psychological abuse.
Prosecution Evidence
The prosecution, led by Sub-Inspector I.F. Bangura Esq., tendered several documentary and physical exhibits before the court.
Among the evidence was a medical report showing that the alleged victim sustained multiple lacerations, including wounds to her neck and left arm, with active bleeding reported from the neck.
A coloured photograph was also tendered, allegedly depicting the victim bleeding from injuries sustained during the incident.
In her statement to police, Mariama Kamara alleged that Kalokoh, whom she identified as her husband, grabbed her by the neck and stabbed her with a kitchen knife on her neck, chest and hand. She reportedly told investigators that she attempted to wrestle the knife from him before escaping while bleeding heavily.
Statements from other witnesses, including Ibrahim Mohamed Kamara, Alusine Kalokoh and Sallieu Kalokoh, were also tendered. Their accounts reportedly placed the victim at the scene shortly after the alleged incident with multiple injuries.
The court further considered a voluntary cautioned statement attributed to Kalokoh, in which he reportedly acknowledged that Mariama Kamara was his wife of 16 years and stated that he became angry following what he described as her disrespectful behaviour, resulting in a physical confrontation in which she was wounded.
A kitchen knife with a red handle, alleged to have been used in the incident, was also tendered as an exhibit.
Court’s Findings
In his ruling, Magistrate Harold Kamara stressed that the purpose of committal proceedings is not to determine whether the accused is guilty or innocent, but to establish whether the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to warrant the accused standing trial before the High Court.
The Magistrate said the medical evidence established that the alleged victim sustained multiple injuries to vulnerable parts of her body, particularly the neck and arm, which were consistent with an assault involving a sharp object.
He further found that the photographic evidence supported the medical findings, while the statements of the victim and other witnesses provided evidence linking the accused to the alleged incident.
The court also considered Kalokoh’s alleged cautioned statement to be significant, noting that it amounted to an admission that he fought with and wounded the victim after becoming angry.
Magistrate Kamara stated that although the question of the precise intention behind the alleged injuries remains a matter for determination by the High Court, the evidence before the Magistrate Court was sufficient to establish a prima facie case.
Committed to High Court
Having reviewed the evidence, the court concluded that there was credible evidence linking Hassan Kalokoh to each of the offences charged.
Magistrate Kamara therefore exercised the powers conferred upon the court under Section 113(2)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act No. 8 of 2024 and committed Kalokoh to stand trial before the High Court in Moyamba.
The court further ordered that Kalokoh remain in lawful custody pending his trial, unless he is admitted to bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The allegations against Hassan Kalokoh have not been finally determined. He remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a competent court.
