August 29, 2019 - Public Review Newspaper

MRCG COMMENCES 2019 PEER REVIEW SESSION

The Media Reform Coordinating Group Sierra Leone and its constituent bodies (Guild of Editors (GOE), Women in the Media (WIMSAL), Independent Radio Network (IRN), and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ)) have commenced the 2019 Peer Review session for newspaper editors and radio station managers on understanding the enforcement of ethical provisions of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act and Code on Monday August 26, 2019 at SLAJ Secretariat in Freetown. MRCG Project Officer, James Harvey noted that the Peer Review session is essential as it discusses matters relating to ethical issues and the relationship between the media and media regulators particularly the Independent Media Commission. He reiterated that the MRCG is there to ensure that the media in Sierra Leone speak with one voice than in a fragmented way. SLAJ Representative to the IMC Board, Dr. Commissioner Francis Sowa explained the different provisions of the IMC Act and Code specifically pointing out areas that journalists fall short of. He spoke about the need for a cordial relationship between the IMC and media practitioners. The President of SLAJ, Ahmed Nasralla stated that the Peer Review is essential for media development in Sierra Leone. “It is good to be having such programmes periodically to review the work of the media,” he said. SLAJ President further encouraged journalists to be responsible and professional by respecting the laws and channeling their concerns through bodies concerned for healthy resolution. He called on journalists to critique fairly and genuinely and not to take sides in their reportage. Mr Theo Harding, Chairman Guild of Editors thanked MRCG and expressed his appreciation for the Peer Review session especially on the impact it creates on editors and journalists. He called for such programs to be held periodically for the benefits of journalists. Madam Tiana Alpha, President of WIMSAL and the Western Area IRN Coordinator applauded the Peer Review session stating that it is a step in the right direction. She encouraged journalists to complement the work of IMC by being professional and responsible in their reportage and complying with the IMC Code and other media related laws. Media participants raised concerns over NATCOM’s intention of changing the status of community radio stations to commercial radio in December. Regarding media frequency distribution, participants called for the introduction of a National Frequency Allocation Policy which they believe will solve the issues of frequency allocation in the country. This project is funded and supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED)

LIBERIAN AMBASSADOR DUPED $7,500 DOLLAR

Local

The Liberian Ambassador accredited to Sierra Leone Madam Jatu Musu Ruhle was early this year 2019 duped by a Ghanaian National Emmanuel Kwame Kondo the sum of $7,500 for the purchase of a 4 runner jeep. The accused Emmanuel Kwame Kondo who made his second appearance in court before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Pademba Road Court No1 was arraigned on two counts charge of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law and Obtaining Money by false pretence contrary to section 32(1) of the larceny Act 1916. According to the indictment, the prosecutions lead by Inspector Donald A. Taylor alleged that, the accused person on Friday 15 February 2019, at No2 Spur Road Freetown conspired together and with other person unknown with intent to defraud by means of presenting a 4 runner jeep to Ambassador Jatu Musu Ruhle and falsely presenting that it was for sale to whomever would pay for it. It further alleged that the accused on the same date in Freetown with intent to defraud obtain from Ambassador Jatu Musu Ruhle the sum of Seven Thousand Five Hundred United State Dollars ($7,500) by falsely pretending that you have a 4 runner jeep for sale knowing it to be false. Protocol Officer of the Embassy Momo Brima whiles testifying in court recognized the accused and further recalled Friday 15 February 2019, adding that whiles he was at his office on that day, the Ambassador called upon him requesting him to accompany the accused to the Eco-Bank Ltd Aberdeen together with a letter in order to collect some money. He said base on the request, he together with the accused left the office for the bank and that the reason for him accompanying the accused was to facilitate the process for the purchase of a 4 runner jeep from the accused. The witness said after the accused person has collected the money, they went back to the office at spur road, noting that upon their arrival, the accused told the Ambassador that the said vehicle has some documentation problems which he will go and solve and return the next day. He continues that, since that day the accused left the office he has been on the run until he was arrested by the police and that they have not received the money neither the vehicle He added that he was later called upon at CID Head Quarters to make statements in respect of the matter. Lawyer I.Y.S Kamara was representing the accused Emmanuel Kwame Kondo but could not cross examined the witness on the grounds that, he was just representing his colleague in chambers and that circumstance requested for an adjournment. Magistrate Hannah Bonnie however granted his application and remand the accused in prison and the matter was adjourned to the 3rd September this year for the defence counsel to cross examined the witness. Police Inspector D.A Taylor was prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.

SIERRA LEONEAN FEMALE SPRINTER LEFT OUT OF ALL AFRICAN GAMES

Sport

Sierra Leone foreign based sprinter Hafsatu Kamara has been left out in the 2019 African Games ongoing in Morocco. Kamara who was born in the United States of Sierra Leonean parents discovered that her name was not on the official athletes list on Saturday morning after rigorous preparation to join her mates at the Games Village. Hafsatu stated representing Sierra Leone since 2013. In 2014, she represented Sierra Leone in the Common Wealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland where she competed in the 100 race with no better performance. In 2015, she was in Benji, China for the World championship and later competed in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio, Brazil and was the flag bearer for Sierra Leone in the closing ceremony. Hafsatu posted on her Facebook page that her name was left out on the athletes list without any explanation from Sierra Leone officials. “I cried this morning for the lost time, money, opportunities. I’m not the top ranked in the world, I’m just now running a personal best after six years. I haven’t ran the fastest time in the world but I give my all in each and every opportunity I get to represent Sierra Leone”; she said. Kamara intimated that since 2013 she has proudly worn Sierra Leone on her chest and entered each track with Sierra Leone next to her name. “I stopped asking for financial support, unforms or shoes, its not just that my name was left out, it’s that there is no clear explanation as to why. I was led on for days believing I was still competing”. Vice president of the Sierra Leone Athletes Association Emerick Cole said Hafsatu was not part of the initial names of athletes presented to NOC for submission due to her poor performance in previous competitions but noted her name was later submitted to the chef de Mission Unisa Deen Kargbo for inclusion. Cole Continued that after Uinsa submitted her name, she was rejected due to late submission. Unisa told us they (NOC) will try thier best in advocating for the inclusion of Hafsatu’s name in the list when they get to Rabat but that was not achievable”; he concluded. Hafasatu said that officials from the Ministry of sports and National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone tried thier best to have rectified the situation.

East End Tigers sign Philip Neville from FC Buck

Sport

East End Tigers on Wednesday unveiled their new signing from FC Buck Philip Neville on a long term contract. Neville, who can also play as midfielder, expressed his delight to sign for the Premier League club. “I’m happy and looking forward to helping the club. I want to take this opportunity to thank FC Buck for introducing me to the game at this level” “I want to thank them a lot for the exposure, and hopefully I can take that experience to my new club.” Tigers Chairman Victor Lewis said that the club has been watching Neville since his days at Buck FC. “We have been monitoring the striker whom we considered a vital player, but kept it quiet because we were waiting for this day” “We wanted him, but we were scared of the clubs with bigger financial powers. So we tried to do the deal quietly and succeeded,” Chairman Lewis noted. “Philip will do well in the upcoming league,” he added. We welcome Philip to the family, and we want to thank FC Buck for cooperating with us”. Neville is expected to deliver in the 2019/2020 season just as Baimba Sesay in the last campaign with 14 goals.

“FIFA has not placed any ban on Musa Tombo”-SLFA Head of Media

Sport

The Head of Media and Marketing at the Sierra Leone Football Association has dispelled rumors making the rounds on social media that FIFA has banned Sierra Leonean striker Musa Tombo Kamara for two years. Musa’s contract was terminated by Swedish ClubTrelleborg FF last week after the player decided to return home, citing several environmental challenges he couldn’t cope with. Ibrahim Kamara said Musa Tombo is still training with the national team and the FA has not received any official correspondence from Football’s World Governing Body on the issue. “It is not true that Musa Tombo has been banned by FIFA… he is still training with the national team ahead of our World Cup qualifying fixture against Liberia next Wednesday”, he said. “FIFA will not take action against any player without informing the FA. So in this case the governing body has not placed any ban on last season’s Sierra Leone Premier League top goal scorer” “This will psychologically affect Musa’s preparation ahead of the match but we are working on him to remain determined and steadfast. He is doing well and we hope he continues ahead of the encounter” The Head of Media and Marketing at the SLFA Ibrahim Kamara called on Sierra Leoneans to focus now on the country’s upcoming fixture with the Lone Stars of Liberia on 4th September in Monrovia. He assured citizens that Leone Stars will do all they could to win the match in order to put them on a better footing to qualify to the next round of the series.

SLRA, NAO and EU Certified CSE for Three Bridges

Local

The Sierra Leone Roads Authority, in collaboration with the National Authorising Office and the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone, has awarded a Certificate of Provisional Acceptance to CSE, the contractor on the Bandajuma-Liberia Border Road Project. The certificate was awarded for the Sewa River Bridge in Condama, the Wanje River Bridge in Bandajuma, the Moa River Bridge in Moala and the 23km stretch from Bandajuma to Potoru in Pujehun District. The award of the certificate marks the commencement of the twelve (12) months Defect Liability Period. During this period the contractor will address all the grey areas that were identified during the inspection. The contractor is also required to undertake all maintenance activities on the road and the bridges as specified in the contract until the final handing over of the road after this period. With the provisional acceptance of these facilities all the three bridges will now be opened to vehicular traffic. The Bandajuma-Liberia Border Road Project is funded through a grant from the European Union amounting to One Hundred and Five (105) Million Euros. It is the biggest single donor funded project that is second to none in this country. In addition to this the Government of Sierra Leone provides counterpart funding in the form of payment of compensation to project affected persons. The project is divided into two lots. Lot 1 which comprises the Three Bridges is substantially completed. In Lot 2, which comprises the rehabilitation of about 100km stretch from Bandajuma to Gendema on the Liberia Border with Sierra Leone is about 60% complete. The Director General, Sierra Leone Roads Authority, Ing Amara Jambai Kanneh underscored the importance of this road and commended the European Union for funding this project. He described the road as an international highway linking West African capital cities from Dakar to Abuja. He pointed out that the project is an accomplishment of the promise made by President Julius Maada Bio to ensure the completion of all unfinished roads project in the country. Indeed the government of the New Direction ushered in laudable ventures in road construction in this country. The intervention of the government has led to the construction of two bridges, the Sengbeh Pieh Bridge and the Atlantic-Juba Bridge in Freetown. On the Bo-Bandajuma-Liberia Border Road, three new bridges have been completed and opened to traffic. Works are currently in progress on the the Magbele Bridge, Mabang Bridge, Gbangbama Bridge and the Moyamba.

President Bio and First Lady Arrived in Yokohama for TICAD7 Summit

Executive

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Her Excellency Madam Fatima Bio have arrived in Yokohama ahead of the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) scheduled for the 28th – 30th August 2019. His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, First Lady Fatima Bio and other members of the delegation were received in Yokohama by senior officials of the Government of Japan and Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affiars and International Cooperation, Honorable Mrs Nabeela Tunis who had been part of an advanced team on the preparation of the TICAD7 Summit. His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio will commence participation on Wednesday 28th August at the opening session of the TICAD7 Summit together with a large number of other African Heads of State and Government and representatives of international organisations, development partners, private companies, civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations. TICAD is the largest international conference normally held in Japan and thousands of participants are expected to participate in this year’s Summit. Whilst in Japan, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting on the margins of the conference with the Prime Minister of Japan, His Excellency Shinzō Abe to strengthening the relationship between Sierra Leone and Japan. He is also expected to hold meeting with the Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is the agency that coordinates official Development Assistance for the government of Japan. His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Her Excellency Madam Fatima Bio are also expected to participate in several events on the margins of the Summit. The theme for this year’s TICAD7 Summit is: “Advancing Africa’s development through people, technology and innovation”. And the three pillars of the TICAD7 Summit are: (1) Accelerating economic transformation and improving business environment through innovation and private sector engagement; (2) Deepening sustainable and resilient society and (3) Strengthening peace and stability. This TICAD7 is President Bio’s maiden summit on Tokyo International Conference on African Development since his election as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The last TICAD Summit (TICAD6) was held in 2016 for the first time in Africa in Nairobi, Kenya and it was attended by 11,000 people including business persons from about 200 Japanese companies.

LEGAL LINK- Letter requesting NEC to show the extant law that supports their cancellation of the entire Parliamentary re-run elections held on 24th August 2019 in Constituency 110

Legislative

Justice | Law | Rights LEGAL LINK +23279167457 | +23277336904 89 Fort Street Freetown | Sierra Leone 26th August, 2019 The Chief Electoral Commissioner & National Returning Officer National Electoral Commission OAU Drive Tower Hill Freetown 26th August 2019 Dear Sir, Letter requesting NEC to show the extant law that supports their cancellation of the entire Parliamentary re-run elections held on 24th August 2019 in Constituency 110 It is out of a deep sense of cosmic responsibility and moral rectitude that Christian Lawyers Centre (hereinafter referred to as LEGAL LINK) has decided to write you this open letter. At a time when majority of the country’s pressure groups and civil society organizations have gone reticent over such travesty of justice, we at LEGAL LINK feel obligated to stand tall and be the voice of conscience and mouth piece of the nation over this all important subject. We are in receipt of your Press Statement dated 25th August 2019 in which you cancelled the entire re-run Parliamentary election in Constituency 110 held on the 24th of August 2019. According to your Press Statement, this action was taken by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) because violence erupted during the course of the polls at the Sarah Modern Preparatory school polling centre which led to the destruction of ten ballot boxes and other electoral materials. Consequently, in the opinion of NEC, this unfortunate incident seriously undermines the integrity and credibility of the electoral process for which a cancellation of the entire Parliamentary election was necessary. But without prejudice to your above stated reasons that necessitated your actions, As a legal advocacy group that prides itself in legal education and reforms, we have taken the pains to search out all the legal references cited by you in your Press Statement of 25th August 2019 and also other governing laws on elections at the international, regional and domestic levels; and we make bold to say that there is no clear or expressed provision in any legal framework be it at the international, regional or domestic level that supports your action to cancel an entire Parliamentary election. Against this backdrop, LEGAL LINK feels compelled to reach out to you and afford you a second chance to make clear to the nation which legal framework or section thereof that was invoked by you in arriving at your cancellation decision. As we await your reply and clarification, let us seize this opportunity to bring to your kind attention and by extension the general public some basic awareness on the electoral laws governing the conduct of elections in Sierra Leone since education seems to be vital in all of what has happened. We shall start with the legal frameworks at the International level, regional level and then conclude with the ones at the National level albeit to showcase to you that you have indeed acted ultra vires (beyond the powers conferred on you by law). AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL The following instruments bear and touch on elections at the International level. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights International IDEA Electoral Standards Guidelines for reviewing the legal frameworks of elections AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL The following legal instruments bear and touch on elections within the African Continent. The Africa Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights The African Union Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance The Principles for Election Management, Monitoring and Observation (PEMMO). AT THE DOMESTIC LEVEL There are a plethora of legal, institutional and policy frameworks that have been established at the domestic level for the smooth and efficient conduct of public elections in Sierra Leone. These frameworks include: The 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone The Constitution of Sierra Leone Amendment Act of 2001 The Electoral Laws Act of 2002 The National Electoral Commission Act of 2002 The Public Elections Act of 2012 The Political Parties Act of 2002 The Local Government Act of 2004 The Election Petition Rules of 2007 The National Civil Registration Act of 2016 The Chieftaincy Act of 2007 Wards (Boundary Delimitation) Regulations, 2008 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS The relevant institutional frameworks set up for the effective administration and regulation of elections in Sierra Leone includes the following: National Electoral Commission (NEC) The Supreme Court The High Court The Election Offences Court The Political Parties Registration Commission The Sierra Leone Police POLICY FRAMEWORK The NEC Disability Policy of 2015 A cursory look at the above normative frameworks reveals that, it is unarguably true that a comprehensive legal framework on elections exists for the efficient and effective conduct of public elections in Sierra Leone. But notwithstanding however, there is no express provision stated in all of the above legal and policy frameworks that gives your institution (NEC) the authority, right or power to cancel an entire election. LEGAL LINK strongly avers that such decision falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Sierra Leone as provided under sections 146 and 147 of the Public Elections Act of 2012 respectively. Section 146 states that: “If the High Court determines that a candidate returned as elected was not duly elected and that the election was void…..” Section 147 dictates that: “Where in an election petition or in a prosecution for an election offence under this Act, it is shown that the offence committed in referenced to the election for the purpose of promoting or procuring the election of a person has so extensively prevailed that it may be reasonably supposed to have affected the results, his election, if he has been elected shall be declared void by the Court in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed by the Court.” In the above cited sections of the law, it is clear that it is the High Court and not NEC that has the exclusive power and authority to void or cancel an entire election. At the very least, the farthest NEC can go in terms of cancellation of

NCAA offers Technical Assistance to SLCAA

International, Local

Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in November last year, the NCAA has sent a three-man delegation to offer technical assistance to SLCAA in areas of Personnel Licensing and Aeromedical Standards. The mission is aimed at providing technical assistance to the SLCAA with the view of addressing its safety deficiencies in the areas of Personel Licensing and Aerodromedical Standards. The Director General of SLCAA, Moses Tiffa Baio welcomed the team of experts and expressed his appreciation to the Director General of NCAA for his tremendous support in safety and security, while noting that the relationship between Sierra Leone and Nigeria dated as far back in colonial days when the two countries were part of the British Colonial block which formed the West Africa Airways. He added that ever since the bond was established, Nigeria helped Sierra Leone in so many ways including the ICAO ‘No Country left behind’ initiative. DG Baio mentioned further that their visit is important to the state, given the current safety rating of which Personnel Licensing forms part of the eight Critical Elements. He assured them of immediate action in areas that needed prompt improvement. Presenting the purpose of the mission, the Personnel Licensing Inspector of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, Sam Abokie said the NCAA Team arrived specifically to assist the Authority address issues relating to Personnel Licensing and Aeromedicine. “We are pleased to host the three technical experts from NCAA as this technical assistance mission will strengthen the SLCAA in the two areas mentioned, especially when the Authority will be adopting the NCAA aeromedicine and PEL model. We agree that the two departments play a critical role in guaranteeing aviation safety and compliance, and this makes them interwoven as the issuing of licenses is largely based on the issuing of certificates of fitness to aviation professionals to carry out their required functions,” he disclosed. Speaking on behalf of the NCAA team, the General Manager of Aeromedical Standards Dr Wilfred T. Haggai said the team was impressed with the Director General’s dynamism to address deficiencies, adding that the SLCAA has the potential to develop under his leadership. While stating the essence of their visit, he recalled the team conducted needs assessment on PEL and Aeromedical Standards in May this year to cover technical assistance and training. “We are here to provide technical assistance in reviewing the status of Corrective Action Plan (CAP), reviewing the State Aviation Activity questionnaire/ICAO-CMA/OLF in PEL, carrying out cross referencing of the SLCAA regulations in line with ICAO Annex 1, reviewing the designation of Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) of SLCAA and undergo a reassessment of Class 3 medical certificate issued to Air traffic controllers by the AME, adopting and adapting the NCAA TGMs in PEL and ANS,” he said.

Youth Ministry Receives Qatar Delegation

Politics

The Ministry of Youth Affairs has today received a delegation from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), at the Ministry’s conference room, national stadium in Freetown. Welcoming the team, the Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Mohamed Bangura catalogued progress made so far. He admitted that there are challenges but if his team is provided with the adequate support the entire story in the youth sector will be a worthy success. Minister Bangura informed that he has a very good team in readiness to deliver. Receiving the delegation, the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Lusine Kallon, thanked the Qatar delegation on behalf of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio who is currently in Yokohama, Japan to attend the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). He said their visit to Sierra Leone will now send a strong message to the world that President Bio’s visit in Qatar was important and fruitful. Hon. Kallon called on the Qatar team to provide the needed support for the Ministry in line with the New Direction agenda. He said capacity building and skills development to achieve the Medium Term Development Plan, 2019 to 2023, are very fundamental to the growth of our youth. Referencing the recent UN joint assessment mission conducted by the Youth Ministry and the UN New York office, he said the outcome of the survey indicates that the youth are at high risk and are mostly in conflict with the law. According to him, the report will serve as a springboard for the Ministry to step up and brace up in fully implementing and developing programs and projects that will better the living condition of every young person. He said the Youth in Agriculture Project has acquired about 6000 acres of land for young people to engage in agriculture as the engine for socio-economic growth. The Commissioner of the National Youth Commission(RAYCOM), Thomas Ngolo Katta, encouraged the team to help in the areas of Technical and Vocational Skills Training, Youth Entrepreneur and Agro businesses. The Qatar team outlined the reasons for their visit to Sierra Leone, adding that their focus is to align their mandate with global development objective in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals in health, education and economic development. They said they were happy to learn about the priority programs in the youth sector and assured of partnership and future cooperation.

Abu Bakarr Turay Declares for Bar Association Vice Presidency

Chinese Learning Program Promotes Cultural Diversity and Language Education

In Sia Alleged Murder Trial: Doctor says effect of CPR may Lead to “Fractured Ribs”

Bai Mamoud Acquitted of Failed Coup Charges

Maritime Administration on a Two-Day Management talks to Develop Five-Year Strategic Plan

ACC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO MONITORING PSSNYE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Standards Bureau to Introduce Standardized Market Measurements

IMF talks on sustained reform momentum & efforts to improve macroeconomic conditions in Sierra Leone

ECOWAS National Office Takes on Wai Community in Pujehun on Cross-Border Project Implementation

NSA Certifies 10 Law Graduates

Sierra Leone”s new Ambassador to Morocco resumes duty

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