His Worship Harold Kamara has dismissed a conspiracy charge against two defendants accused of destroying a rice plantation but ruled that they must answer to three other charges.

The accused were facing four counts including conspiracy, destroying growing plants, malicious damage, and threatening language. They pleaded not guilty, and the matter proceeded to trial.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, defence counsel A.B.S. Bangura Esq. made a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was inconsistent and insufficient to establish a prima facie case.

In his ruling delivered on 18 June 2026, Magistrate Kamara held that while the prosecution failed to establish evidence of conspiracy, there was sufficient evidence on the remaining charges to require a defence.

The prosecution called four witnesses, including the complainant, who testified that cows repeatedly destroyed his rice plantation and that the defendants admitted ownership of the animals and offered compensation. He also presented photographs and video evidence. The complainant further alleged that the first defendant threatened him over the matter.

Other witnesses, including the Chiefdom Speaker, corroborated the claim, stating that the defendants acknowledged ownership of the cattle and responsibility for the damage.

The court ruled that although no witness saw the defendants personally destroy the crops, the case was based on the alleged actions of their cattle and their admission of responsibility.

Magistrate Kamara upheld the no-case submission on the conspiracy count and discharged the defendants on that charge. However, he refused the submission on the counts of destroying growing plants, malicious damage, and threatening language, ordering the defendants to enter their defence.