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.
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.
It is unclear what led to the incident, but sources say it was linked to a decision made by Ms Tunis, who is the Minister of Tourism, regarding a beach property managed by Dr Laverley.
According to the sources, Dr Laverley was immediately detained at State House.
She appeared before a magistrate in Freetown on November 15. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
She was subsequently granted bail in the sum of NLe100, 000 ($4,000) on the condition that she provide a surety in the form of a Freetown resident with landed property.
The case was due to resume on November 20, but never did.
Sources close to the case said efforts were being made to settle it out of court.
Dr Laverley served as deputy Minister of Finance for Sierra Leone from 2018 to 2021.
