His Worship Harold Kamara has convicted three defendants on four counts of threatening and abusive conduct linked to a land dispute in Jabama Village, while acquitting them of trespass and destruction of trees.

The matter was brought before the court through a private criminal summons on six counts, including trespass, damaging trees, threatening language, insulting conduct, abusive language, and public insult and provocation.

During the trial, the prosecution called six witnesses who testified that the disputed land belonged to the Coker family and alleged that the defendants brushed the land, cut down trees, and issued threats and insults when confronted. Photographs, audio, and video recordings were tendered as evidence.

A key independent witness, Alusine Jabba, corroborated the complainants’ claims, telling the court that the defendants insulted them, called them bastards, and threatened violence. An IT specialist also confirmed that the audio and video recordings were authentic.

In their defence, the defendants denied the allegations and maintained that the land belonged to their family. The second defendant admitted working on the land under the instructions of the first defendant.

In his judgment delivered on 18 June 2026, Magistrate Kamara ruled that the court had no jurisdiction to determine ownership of the disputed land, noting that such matters fall under the Local Court and civil courts.

He held that because ownership remained unresolved and the defendants appeared to believe the land belonged to them, the prosecution failed to prove trespass and malicious damage beyond reasonable doubt, leading to their acquittal on those counts.

However, the court found the evidence on threatening language, insulting conduct, abusive language, and public insult and provocation to be direct, consistent, and supported by independent testimony.

The defendants were convicted on those four counts and each fined Le2,000, with a default sentence of six months imprisonment to run concurrently if the fines are not paid. They were also bound over to keep the peace and maintain good behaviour for twelve months.