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The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) country representative for Tanzania, Dr Patricia Laverley, has been charged with assault in her native country of Sierra Leone.
The East African reports that Dr Laverley has been charged with two counts of assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The case stems from an incident that occurred at the State House in Freetown on November 12, where she is alleged to have slapped a government minister, Nabeela Tunis.
Although what led to the incident is unclear, sources say it was linked to a decision made by Ms Tunis, the Minister of Tourism, regarding a beach property managed by Dr Laverley.
According to the sources, Dr Laverley was immediately detained at the State House.
She appeared before a magistrate in Freetown on November 15 and pleaded not guilty.
She was subsequently granted bail for $4,000. She is also to provide a surety in the form of a Freetown resident with landed property.
Dr Laverley served as Deputy Minister of Finance for Sierra Leone from 2018 to 2021.
