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Lawyers in tussle with Works Minister

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:37:55 +0000

The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has in a letter accused the Minister of Works Housing and Infrastructural Development Alimamy Petito Koroma of intimidation, heavy handed conduct, and undue embarrassment of a legal practitioner Samuel Navo Esq. in March Last year
In the letter addressed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice the Bar Association outlined the conduct of the minister towards an SLBA member, which they said in the letter amounts to criminal conduct, including assault, threatening and intimidating conduct, false imprisonment and or unlawful behavior is not acceptable.
The Bar Association stated in the letter that since the Minister received their letter of complaint, he has not taken any step to make amendments to his conduct nor has he proffered an explanation justifying or excusing his disgraceful conduct.
The letter stated it would appear the minister is not remorseful and or that he believes such behaviour is acceptable.
The Sierra Leone Bar Association has resolved that such conduct should not go unchecked as it engenders impunity, and also cultivate the culture of violence as well as glorifies citizen’s resort to vigilante justice.
The Bar association reiterates its advise to their wronged member for him to take out criminal prosecution against the minister with the association’s fullest support.
It could be recalled that in March last year Samuel Navo Esq. had gone to a piece of land together with other persons to conduct due diligence, checks on same when he was accosted and forced into the back of a pick-up truck by armed men who purported to be acting on the Minister’s instruction.
Despite Navo’s protest he was whisked at break neck speed to the minister’s office at New England Ville the letter reported.
The SLBA takes a deem view of the incident and roundly condemns the action, because it raises the question of the freedom of lawyers to practice their profession, without fear of intimidation from anyone.
The Bar Association also frowned at the real threat of highhandedness and misuse of executive power by persons in position.
The Bar Association advised that like any citizen, the minister ought to follow the remedies available in the law.
The association has thus demanded that the Minister of Works should tender an apology to the Samuel Navo Esq. for the embarrassment caused him and strongly advised the Minister to refrain from repeating such conduct.
Awoko contacted the Works Minister Alimamy Petito Koroma on the allegations; he denied instructing anybody to beat-up a lawyer or any citizen of this country at anytime.
The Minister said, he has no idea over the incident, but confirmed receiving a letter from the Sierra Leone Bar Association addressed to Alimamy P Bangura and he did not respond to it because it was not addressed to him (Alimamy P. Koroma).
“I am not a violent man, the lawyers just want to frame me in this issue,” the Minister said on phone. He expressed determination to clear his name by any means necessary.
By Saidu Bah

“Seat belt does not determine vehicle manufacture date”-Vijay Nathan

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:36:53 +0000

The wide spread rumour that is going on that the Tow Vehicle that was bought by the Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation SLRTC, was a used vehicle (second hand) as a result of the date on the seat belt of the said vehicle has been clarified.
This clarification was done in an interview by Mr. Vijay Nathan, Senior Export Manager- Ashok Leyland, the company that manufactured the said vehicle. He disclosed that “Seat belt does not determine vehicle manufacture date, be informed that we consider the year of manufacture of a vehicle by the date the chassis is rolled out of our assembly line and passed to sales/body builder,”.
He explained that the vehicle supplied is a very special one, which is supplied for towing and defence application in India as generally it is very difficult to source all parts at the same time for vehicles not in regular production. He added that many non standard and difficult to source parts are arranged well in advance based on batch size.
“The year 2008 mentioned on the seat belt of the tow vehicle is the date it was made by our supplier and later supplied to us, but the chassis was manufactured some time in 2010 and the upper part was completed in 2011. The vehicle supplied is new and manufactured in 2011. I have made available the internal inspection report/quality certificate for people to verify them in relation to the date of manufacture,” says Mr. Nathan.
According to him, they made the supply base on the request made by SLRTC that they need life recovery vehicle and the vehicle is 4 by 4 sterling that is used by the military in India, but when they received the order from Sierra Leone, they decided to manufacture the same type with special tires specifically made for use in Sierra Leone since there are no desert or snow. “You can use 2 by 2 or 4 by 4 when you engage it and the wrecker equipment is part mechanical and part hydraulic as it can perform in any condition and operate on both sides,” he added.
In relation to the vehicle duration, Mr. Nathan maintained that it depends on the distance covered by the vehicle, as it is made for special purpose it can last for more than twenty or thirty years based on the maintenance. “We give one year guaranty and presently myself and a representative from our partner in India is presently doing maintenance on the vehicles including the buses for two months,” Mr. Nathan explained.

Protesters turn law court into a market centre

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:36:48 +0000

Supporters and family members of the SLPP constituency 104, ward 369 Councillor, Mohamed Kanu-Mansaray and three other accused persons on the alleged kidnapping matter before magistrate Komba Kamanda of court No.2, past Friday turned the law court environs to a market centre by using all sorts of obscene languages.
The accused persons are Mohamed Kanu-Mansaray, Gibrilla Conteh, Baimaru Conteh and Hindolo Moseray.
It all started when the court clerk mentioned the said matter, and counsels announcing their representations for both the prosecution and defence.
Before the prosecution called their first witness in the matter, lawyer Gerald J. Soyei, representing the prosecution made an amendment in the particulars of offence under count two, pursuance to section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) in order to meet with the official circumstances of the case.
Led in evidence by lawyer G.J. Soyei, Mohamed Koroma, PW1 dressed in yellow T-Shirt covered with a black jean coat and red long trousers, stated that he is a bike rider (Okada) plying the route from Moyamba junction to Moyamba Town and admitted knowing all accused persons on Friday 27 January this year, the day the incident happened at Moyamba junction.
He disclosed that it was Hindolo Moseray (forth accused) that asked him for the price of fuel which he replied as Le 7,000 (seven thousand Leones) per litre, which led to his being abused by Hindolo. He added that Mohamed Kanu-Mansaray, the councillor (first accused) asked Hindolo to stop abusing him and ordered Hindolo to pay for the fuel.
According to the witness, Hindolo give him Le 30,000 (thirty thousand Leones) for the fuel, but as he went to collect the fuel Hindolo stopped him and requested that the money be refunded as the fuel was not available at the moment. The witness maintained that after refunding the money Hindolo, Gibrilla and Baimaru rushed at him and forced him inside their jeep back boot, and they drove to mile 91 where the witness received a phone call, in which the accused persons asked for the road leading to the police station, as Baimaru saw the witness when he received the call, but they did not go their but instead used the road leading to Masiaka.
“On our way to Masiaka, one of my friend Lamin Bangura came with a bike ordering the accused persons to stop their jeep, but Hindolo told the drive to hit the bike if he comes before the jeep again,” he explained
Magistrate stood down the court for a while for the corridor and windows of the court to be cleared as viewers had filled the whole place, and the police officers together with the OSD’s asked everyone standing inside the court and the windows to go out.At Masiaka according to the witness, the accused person took him to the police station were they made statement against him that he is an armed robber who tried to rob them. But when he gave his name and address to the police officer, the police recalled that he had been informed of someone being kidnapped from Moyamba with that same name.
Lawyer Soyei stated that there is no room for application to be made as he had the authority, adding that he is opposing to bail and he relied on his previous submission to maintain peace and order.
Lawyer Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie applied for bail for all accused persons, stating that in light of the evidence, they are even more ready to defend the accused persons as they have reliable sureties that are ready to stand on their behalf, adding that the first accused person is suffering from broken limb and he needs urgent medical attention.
Magistrate Komba Kamanda ruled that the first accused be given medical attention while in custody with the other accused persons.
Upon that pronouncement, family members, supporters started using obscene languages against the witness, prosecuting lawyer, whilst others are casting the blame on the ruling APC government as being undemocratic and fairing the opposition SLPP.
Police officers and OSDs, escorted both lawyer Soyei and the witness out of the court building to his office as the protesters threatened to beat the witness saying they are ready to go to jail with the accused persons.

Tony Blair Faith Act on Malaria prevention drive

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:35:55 +0000

To demonstrate that faith can be used as a force for good living the Tony Blair Faith Foundation through Faith Act has engaged about 20 Ambassadors on malaria prevention.
Given the objective of the training, Josephine Muhairwe said that they want to demonstrate that faith works in terms of malaria since it is a killer disease and since Sierra Leone has a record of religious tolerance they have decided to bring both Muslims and Christians together to serve as Ambassadors.
She disclosed that the country ranks among the worst in the world on the Human Development Index, particularly because of the extreme poor maternal and child death statistic, where the most vulnerable are dying from preventable and treatable conditions.
She added that this is why the Ministry of Health and other partners have plans to develop a mechanism to eradicate malaria and it is in this regard that the Tony Blair Faith Foundation supported and developed a public health messaging programme on malaria through a strong partnership between faith leaders and organisations.
The five areas where the Ambassadors are expected to preach on includes that of the daily use of treated bed net, to keep the environment always clean, that pregnant women visit health care centers, and the continuous use of prescribed drugs.
She gave a statistic of their work so far, training of malaria faith Ambassador 230, malaria faith champions 3,155; homes and families sensitized by the champions 40, 893; and people reached via community sensitization 65, 952.
The Deputy Minister of Health Mohamed Tarawally said this demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to malaria programme, as malaria is becoming a national menace in the country, with 40% of cases reported being malaria related.
He thanked the Tony Blair Faith Foundation for the initiative as the foundation does not only focus on health but conduct research in other areas. The Deputy Minister hoped that this process will make people all over the country especially in the urban areas to be sensitized about malaria.
By Betty Milton

NDA in Disarray

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:35:51 +0000

As political parties prepare for the 2012 General Election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is busy fighting an internal rift among executive members over the distribution of motor bikes and other items which they say has caused some party stalwarts to go in disarray.
At a press conference held at SLAJ headquarters at Campbell Street in Freetown past Friday cross section of the party’s executive expressed dissatisfaction over the biased distribution of motor bikes and other items to members.
They argued that some of the benefactors of the UNDP, PPRC capacity building support to political parties which included vehicles, motorbikes, computers and other accessories are not legitimate members of the NDA.
The disgruntled members of the party said the party’s constitution is also not accessible to majority of the membership and that the financial status of the party is not known which they said has created a rift.
Alex B. M Kaikai one of the dejected members of the party said NDA is in disarray and that the party is not prepared for the 2012 general election due to internal squabble over Fullah tribal influence.
He said NDA does not practice transparency and accountability and also accused some executive members of marginalization of women and youths within party activities.
The widely known spokesperson of the NDA party Chernor Bah was also accused of not being a legitimate member of the party but has ended up benefiting than legitimate others.
Chairman of the NDA party Sylvanus Kainyako stormed the press conference to make a brief statement, he admitted claims made by some members that the party is in disarray and that there has been internal rift among party executives.
He said “we want to clean up the mess within the party to ensure transparency and accountability.”
The Chairman pointed out that NDA is not a Fullah party but they want to dominate its activities which he said is unacceptable and would not be tolerated. He promised to address the rift within the party and called for equal distribution of resources to party stalwarts.
The Chairman called for a peaceful settlement of the internal rift within party executives before the slated date for the party’s convention which is expected to be held in mid April 2012 where they are expected to elect the flag bearer for the 2012 election.
By Saidu Bah

APC accused of up to old tricks

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:35:51 +0000

Once more the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) has come under scathing accusation of cooking up aged old tricks in its plans to win hands down in the 17th November polls.
This scathing accusation follows the start of the ongoing Biometric Voter Registration which commenced on 23rd January to end in Match this year, a process which is being described as not only slow but constitutes faulty computers and of course ill trained personnel all of which has since been criticized most particularly by other contending Political Parties including the National Democratic Alliance and the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change which is in alliance with the APC Government of President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Making the mountain accusations in a region wide broadcast the Bo District Secretary General for the main Opposition SLPP Mohamed Ali said that by all indications the APC is busy cooking up tricks with the view of principally intimidating the SLPP starting with the ongoing Voter Registrations.
Explaining further the SLPP Scribe accused the APC of transporting hired voters from the Njala University College Campus in Torwama which is in Constituency 74 to be registered in Constituency 64 with the sole aim of unseating the incumbent SLPP member of Parliament in the person of Hon. Rado Yokie a situation he referred to as an early plan to rig the upcoming elections at all cost.
In the same vein the SLPP Scribe complained of evidence involving the systematic transportation of people to other constituencies to be registered where they are not residing and that some of these people are being paid and then dispossessed of the receipts provided by the National Electoral Commission while awaiting the actual voting ID cards another situation he referred to as equally criminal on the part of the APC.
Also the SLPP Bo District Secretary General pointed accusing fingers at the ruling APC of being up to intimidation tactics involving plans to plant ammunitions and other dangerous weapons on the premises of their opponents as in the past with the view of incriminating them.
He in turn warned the rank and file of his party membership to remain vigilant and very cautious of the ruling APC whom he stated are indeed very desperate to stay in power no matter the hard economic trend coupled with their inability to govern as the average Sierra Leonean has once again been reduced to the age old days of the reign of APC all of which Mohamed Ali stated provoked the brutal rebel war. He therefore warned all the youths to take note and vote out the corrupt APC come elections.
Responding to the wide ranging and damaging accusations in a follow up interview the APC Bo District Chairman Sheik Sillah was quick to dismiss the mounting accusations saying the APC of President Ernest Bai Koroma is plain, genuine and democratic as per their actions which speaks volume and stated that they will win hands down without employing those non existing diabolical statements except that the Bo District Chairman says it’s no crime for anyone to vote anywhere as long as one remains a Sierra Leonean by birth legible to vote and that no one can tell where anyone will cast his vote when he enters the polling booth.
Sheik Sillah further denied that the ruling APC is up to tricks pointing out that the good performance of the Government is enough for the people to see and vote back the APC
He in turn allayed the fears of the SLPP and called on them to remain calm as no one will engage into any form of terror practices as democracy has taken hold in Sierra Leone.
Sheik Sillah encouraged all to go out and register.
BY EASMON MOIGUAH

Airtel launches fastest internet on 3.75G services in Sierra Leone

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:35:48 +0000

Airtel the strongest, most reliable and affordable telecommunications network with the widest coverage in Sierra Leone has officially launched the fastest mobile internet on 3.75 G thereby enabling subscribers to have full and uninterrupted access to the internet on desktops, laptops, IPAD and phones while on the move.
The service was launched past Friday night by the Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Sheka Tarawally at the Miatta Conference Center witnessed by loyal customers of the Airtel brand, the private sector and the media.
The 3.75 G internet service will be powered on handset and USB modems which have an Airtel sim card inserted in it to provide access, subscribers will be able to use the 3G high speed internet within Freetown and its environs for now with plans for the regions at a later date.
The product is available at Airtel Corporate Department at headquarters or provincial show rooms.
The Managing Director of Airtel Sierra Leone RVS Bhullar fondly called Teddy said the concept of telephone has witnessed massive innovations in social work, efficiency and economic growth.
He said the third generation technology is unique and provides instant exposure about global issues and promotes communication across the world.
He called on Sierra Leoneans to grab the new product for the fastest and most reliable internet service ever provided in the country.
The Deputy Information Minister Sharka Tarawalley expressed delight over the innovative product and commended Airtel for connecting Sierra Leone with the rest of the world.
He said 3.75G is a boost to the Information and Communication sector as government strives to make the fiber optic cable operational.
The deputy minister stated that Airtel has significantly contributed towards economic development by fulfilling remarkable corporate social responsibilities in deprived communities.
On Airtel products and services he said Airtel also offers unique roaming services through the one network across Africa and Asia adding that the President of Sierra Leone is also an admirer of Airtel services.
The Commercial Director of Airtel Keith Tukei said 3.75G has the potential to bridge the digital divide considering the mobile and high speed voice and data it offers to subscribers.
He expressed optimism over the significant contribution towards the service to the socio-economic development of the country.
By Saidu Bah

Farewell Michael Schulemberg

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:41:19 +0000

A cross section of the executive of the Guild of Newspaper Editors have bidded an emotional farewell to the outgoing Executive Representative of the UN Secretary General to Sierra Leone Michael Von Schulemberg.
The outgoing ERSG was very instrumental in the setting up of the Guild and has encouraged the executive to ensure that they commit themselves to work for the good of Sierra Leone. The group recalled earlier meetings with the ERSG and acknowledged the role he played in selling its programs to the head of the peace building fund and the UNDP.
The group expressed their regret at losing him at this critical stage in the formation of the association but wished him well in all his future endeavours.

At Transformation conference … Children present 20 points for Salone in 25 years time

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:41:15 +0000

At the closing ceremony of the Sierra Leone Conference on Development and Transformation last Wednesday 1st February the results of an essay competition for secondary children on the topic “How I will want to see Sierra Leone in the next 25 years” were read out.
Out of the 303 entities from 29 schools, 14 winners emerged. Six of the winners were students of the Sierra Leone Grammar School including the first prize winner Michael Gbenga. The other schools with winning students were Saint Joseph’s Convent (2), International School (4), Kolenten (1) in Kambia and Benevolent (1) in Makeni.
Michael Gbenga of the Sierra Leone Grammar School as winner of the first prize took home three million Leones whilst Antonia Howard of International Secondary School won the second prize of two million Leones and 3rd prize winner was Blessed Kebbie of the Sierra Leone Grammar School who took home one million Leones. The other 11 winners took home consolation prizes of three hundred thousand Leones each.
The first prize winner Michael Gbenga then took the podium to read out twenty points out of over a hundred points in their essays on how they (students) will want to see Sierra Leone in the next 25 years.
Michael Gbenga started by quoting that “one cannot tell the length of a hill by the length of its shadow.” He then went on to read out the twenty points. These are:
1. A new Sierra Leone where people are dedicated to their jobs with realistic salaries and other benefits in place.
2. Teachers assigned to rural areas should be given special allowances.
3. I would like to see indiscriminate logging discouraged so that the advance of the Sahara desert will be stopped.
4. We need to see a green vegetation all around Sierra Leone. Great attention should be given to agriculture so that in 25 years there will be enough food for the nation and raw materials produced for agro based industries.
5. Hope to see primary and secondary school staffed with well trained and quality teachers from recognized colleges and universities in order to promote quality education.
6. I will like to see improved newspapers by well trained journalists with little or no grammatical errors. We need to have trained broadcasters that speak English fluently to mann our T.V and radio stations with a wide range of programmes both educative and entertaining.
7. I will like to see a Sierra Leone with a better road network to transport people and goods faster. I will like to see well constructed roads and bridges all over the country plus good international airport.
8. A Sierra Leone with 24 hours of electricity supply and available pipe born water will make for a happy and healthy nation and an encouragement to investors coming into the country.
9. We are praying that in much less than 25 years we should abolish the two shifts system in all of our schools. School should run from 8am-3pm.
10. In 25 years we would like to see all Sierra Leoneans regardless of their location enjoying Free Health Care with more hospitals all over the country.
11. Offenders of the law should not be oppressed by police and military forces. They should ensure that offenders are charged to court and given free trial irrespective of status, sex or tribe.
12. We should work towards improving local and international communications through the media and internet facilities. These should be accessible to people in remote villages and towns as well.
13. The Sierra Leone we would like to see is one upholding democratic principles and good governance in the interest of peace and stability. A country where the leaders are accountable to the people that elected them. A country where the rule of law prevails and everyone is equal before the law. Citizens should be encouraged to pay taxes to help develop the country.
14. There should be complete separation of powers between the executive, judiciary and the legislative arms of government.
15. We are looking for a democratic state where citizens and journalists are free to express their minds on various issues so as to make the government of the day more effective.
16. I want to see a Sierra Leone with leaders who lead with example, who say no to nepotism, tribalism and regionalism. This will guarantee political stability.
17. I want to see a Sierra Leone with universal access to quality and functional education that will fight poverty, empower women and protect children from hazardous and exploitative labour as well as sexual exploitation. One that promote human rights and democracy.
18. Our new nation should be one with no street begging or roaming mad men.
19. In the new Sierra Leone parents should be given 5 years imprisonment if they fail to send their children to school.
We would like to be citizen of a country where underground means of transportation, more Ports added to the Queen Elizabeth Quay and 5 major international Airports.
By Betty Milton

Blind voters rejected at registration center

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:38:57 +0000

Two blind people Alie Conteh and Thaimu Dedimus Kargbo have been rejected by NEC officials to be registered at Ward 391 in Collegiate school compound.
At about 12am Wednesday 1st February the two blind men arrived at the center to go through the normal registration. On reaching the registration desk, they were told by the NEC assistant registrar that they should wait for some time.
After waiting for over ten minutes Alie and Thaimu decided to check with the NEC official as to why they have not been allowed to start being registered. They were then told by one of the NEC officials at the center that they will not be allowed to register at the Ward and they should go and wait until the biometric machine gets to Ronsab school.
One of the blind men Alie Conteh told the NEC official that ever since they can remember they have been registering and voting in that Ward “therefore I don’t see any reason why I should not be allowed to register here.” The two blind men spent the next thirty minutes trying to convince the NEC officials that they should be registered at that center but they adamantly refused.
In frustration the blind men had to leave without being registered.
When asked about how he felt after the frustrating experience one of the blind men Alie Conteh said that “the biometric process is good as it will prevent double voting. But with some of the lapses we are experiencing it is not good for the general population. Most of the people employed by NEC to carry out the registration process do not seem to know what they are doing. The use of the computer is very difficult for them thereby making the process very slow. We have visited some other centers and (this is what) we have discovered.”
He added that they are concerned about how the process of enrolling the staff for the registration process was done “as it seems as if the people are not well trained about the issue. I am in support about the concern raised by (the) NDA spokesman that the registration process be put on hold until some of these anomalies are corrected.”
Dedimus Kargbo (the other blind voter) for his part maintained that “the Chairperson of NEC has said that whenever pregnant women, disabled and the blind are present at any center they should be given preferential treatment, and we have been told that wherever we want to register we should do that as long as we are going to vote at that center. But the people vehemently refused even though we have always been voting at that center. So I wonder if (we are) getting such treatment in Freetown, I’m wondering what will happen in the provinces. “
The Assistant Registrar at the center Victoria Bull confirmed that indeed the two blind guys should wait for the machine to get to Metro or Ronsab where they could be registered “as you can see there are a lot of people in this Ward to be registered. Even if NEC said people should register where they choose we at the center we will advise (them) to wait (or) to go to another Ward.”
By Betty Milton