The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) today Tuesday 4th August, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone to work towards a common goal to address issues around Sexual and Gender Based Violence; Rape, Sexual penetration and mental health of women. This collaboration aims at reducing the spate of violence meted upon women and children through a monthly radio program ‘#FAMBULBIZNESS’ which will be aired on different radio stations across the country through SLAWIJ’s network. The Executive Director of Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone, Madam Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles in her statement, says she sees this collaboration as a laudable one because she believes the media has a big role in changing the narrative around #SGBV, Rape etc especially with vibrant women in the media landscape taking the lead. She said her institution is looking forward to seeing great transformation nationwide through this collaboration.
BIG CATCH!
The rate of Armed Robbery has increased in the country especially in Freetown. This has caused undisputable alarm. But it seems the pragmatic leadership of the Regional Commander, CSP Gabriel Tommy has started yielding dividend in restoring sanity to the Region. This was manifested on Sunday 2nd August 2020, between the hours of 12 midnight to 06:00 AM.The Regional Operations Team(Crack Squad) Headed by ASP Augustine Kargbo, at Waterloo, upon an Intelligence received, arrested one Mohamed Massaquoi alias Kukumani (Notorious Armed Robber) with a Glock 17 Pistol Magazine with Eight(8) rounds and a Revolver Pistol. He has connected a lot of collaborators and the Regional Commander has also ordered for their immediate arrest. The matter is currently under investigations at the Regional Police Headquarters Freetown West.
GOAL Boosts FCC with Trucks & Motorcycles
GOAL has handed over one vacuum truck and two motorcycles to Freetown City Council as part of the Faucal Sludge Management Project. The vacuum truck and motorcycles will support the FCC in achieving its TransformFreetown sanitation target which, in part, aims to increase the safe disposal of liquid waste from 6% to 60%. The truck will be leased to Zheiba Enterprises who will collect liquid waste from residents on a commercial basis whilst the motorcycles will be used by FCC’s Metropolitan Police Force to enforce sanitation bye-laws. Handing the truck and motorcycles over to Freetown City Council were representatives from GOAL, led by the Country Director, Gashaw Mekonnen. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, together with the Deputy Mayor, Osman Koroma; Chief Administrator, Festus Kallay; Deputy Chairperson of the Sanitation Committee, Councilor Manteneh Conteh; and staff of the Sanitation Department and Metro-police Force received the donation on FCC’s behalf. We are grateful for another step in the journey to Transform Freetown.
Bench Warrant For Pastor Marsh
BY Feima Sesay Pastor Joseph Abu Marsh has on Wednesday 5th August 2020, been issued a bench warrant by Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 on Pademba Road for wounding a Military Warrant Class ii and with Force Number 18164003 Elvis Daniel Morgan attached to 11 battalion Kambia districts for failing to appear in court. The accused Pastor Joseph Abu Marsh is charged with a count of wounding contrary to Section 20 of the offences against the person Act 1861.According to the charge sheet the accused Pastor Joseph Abu Marsh on Wednesday 8th April 2020, at No.1 Regent Road Lumley maliciously wounded RSLAF 18164003 Elvis Daniel Morgan.ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray is Prosecuting the matter. Matter adjourned to the 10th August 2020
Car Dealer Jailed For 370 Million Leones
BY Feima Sesay Musa Jalloh a car dealer was on Wednesday 5th August, 2020, arraigned before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 on Pademba Road for converting a vehicle given to him for sale by Mohamed Kallon worth three hundred and seventy million Leones. The accused Musa Jalloh is charged with two counts of fraudulently conversion contrary to Section 20 (1)(iv)(a) of the Larceny Act 0l1916. According to the particulars of offence on count 1, the police alleged that the accused Musa Jalloh on a date unknown in June 2019 in Freetown fraudulently converted to it own use and benefit certain property that is to say the sum of twelve thousand United States of American dollars equivalent to one hundred and twenty million Leones, proceeds of sale of one Land Rover discovery vehicle with registration number AOR 858 entrusted to him by the complainant Mohamed Kallon for the purpose of sale, property of the said Mohamed Kallon. Count 2 state that the accused Musa Jalloh on a date unknown in June 2019, in Freetown fraudulently converted to its own use and benefit certain property that is to say the sum of two hundred and fifty million Leones for the proceeds of sale of one infinity vehicle entrusted to him by Mohamed Kallon for the purpose of sale property of the said Mohamed Kallon. Lawyer A. Nicol Esq. Was defending the matter. He applied for bail but was objected to by the Prosecutors ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray and Inspector Isatu Gbassay Fofanah. But was however granted bail by Magistrate Hannah Bonnie in the sum of one hundred million Leones and was unable to meet the bail condition the Matter was adjourned to the 14th August 2020.
National Sports Authority Board Members Rap Pres. Bio
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has today met with Board Members of the newly constituted National Sports Authority, NSA, and assured them of his government’s support to the development of sports in the country. Presenting the board, Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, thanked the President for the audience, noting that the courtesy call was symbolic because for the first time the country was providing the kind of support required by the NSA. He said he was meeting the President to officially present the board, adding that it was a very lucrative sporting agency that would create jobs across the country. Chairman of the NSA Board, David Woobay, thanked President Bio for appointing them to rebrand sporting activities in the country in accordance with the New Direction Agenda. He said that the President was known for his successful history with sports in the country and added that they would look at sources of funding to augment government’s allocation to sporting activities in the country. National Executive Director for the NSA, Kenneth Brima, said that sports stakeholders were proud of the sustained political will, commitment and dedication of the President to supporting the sector. He added that they were thankful to the government for providing the much-needed resources for the roll-out and implementation of the NSA. In his response, President Bio said that Sierra Leone was once known for its sporting prowess in all disciplines and noted that the New Direction government was about reviving sports and every aspect of human endeavors in the country. While congratulating the new Board members, the President also said that he was very impressed by the personalities in the Board and urged them to do more. “We have great talents but we need to nurture them and I leave that task to you to help the Sports Ministry to bring these talents together so we can compete again at the international level. We are going to fight and make sure that you get not only the moral support but also the financial support to be able to move things,” he assured. The NSA exists to coordinate, regulate, promote and support competitive sporting activities with a view to promoting national cohesion, professionalism, excellence in sports and international recognition.
Limkokwing University Investigation closed -ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has completed investigating the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Malaysia, in Sierra Leone and the former Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), Dr. Minkailu Bah, for alleged Misappropriation of Public Property and Revenue, Abuse of Office, and Abuse of Position; all contrary to Sections 42, 43 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, respectively. The investigations confirmed that Dr. Minkailu Bah single-handedly entered into an agreement with the Limkokwing University for its establishment as a private university in Sierra Leone in 2013, without following the due process as provided in the Laws that govern tertiary public education in Sierra Leone; which resulted in committing the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to serious financial obligations. Dr. Minkailu Bah invited the management of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Malaysia to Sierra Leone with a letter dated 13th May 2013. Following the invite, discussions and negotiations, Dr. Bah signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the President of Limkokwing University on the 19th December, 2013. The agreement provided, among other things, that the GoSL would provide campus space for the University and scholarships for 1,200 students per annum, among other things. An addendum to this memorandum was signed on the 31st December, 2015. Both memoranda did not spell out the fees to be paid for scholarship per student, but the fees later came up to be Three Thousand United States Dollars ($3,000) for Bachelors’ Degree students and Two Thousand and Five Hundred United States Dollars ($2,500) for Diploma per student for one academic year. According to Dr. Bah, the fees structure was negotiated in the office of the former Financial Secretary, Mr. Edmund Koroma, with other staff present. Ministry of Finance refuted this claim indicating that they were never part of any GoSL team that negotiated fees structure for any university, including Limkokwing. They further claimed that Dr. Bah had already committed GoSL by signing of MOA indicating to offer One Thousand Two Hundred (1,200) scholarships to Sierra Leonean Students before providing those estimates to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the National budget for Parliamentary approval. Our investigations further established that the idea of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to have a campus in Sierra Leone was initiated by a Sierra Leonean, Fyeston Bockary, but mid-way in its establishment and operations, Dr. Bah succeeded in removing him from the process based on what Fyeston Bockary alleges to be unfair means. According to the Tertiary Education Commission, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology was fully registered on the 20th March 2017. Dr. Albert Dupigny, a senior staff at the Ministry of Education, confirmed to the ACC that he was the focal person for the Limkokwing University but could not recall being appointed by anyone. Rather, he assumed this position as discussions on the establishment of Limkokwing University evolved. He eventually became like a ‘messenger’ wherein he would receive emails and send same for and on behalf of the Minister, Permanent Secretary and any other senior officials of the Ministry. He denied playing any crucial role in the establishment and operations of the university. The current Financial Secretary, Mr.Sahr Jusu, noted that upon assumption of office in late 2018, he instituted a financial audit, in order to ascertain the true financial obligations of the GoSL to Limkokwing, and to also map out the road forward. Following that audit, a financial obligation of about Twenty-Five Billion Leones (Le 25,000,000,000) was discovered which led to a request for an Executive Clearance to pay off the above sum in phases with a request signed by the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, and the Minister of Finance. Upon the granting of the Executive Clearance, over Twenty-Two Billion Leones (Le22,000,000,000) had been paid by the Ministry Of Finance to Limkokwing University of Creative Technology to settle financial obligations covering the period 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 academic years. However, GoSL has a current outstanding financial obligation of over Thirty-Three Billion Leones (Le 33,000,000,000) for the 2018/2019. According to the Financial Secretary, this amount has not been paid due to fiscal challenges and the unfairness of incurring such liability for few students when compared to other students on government grants-in-aid in various Universities. Fees paid by other University students in Sierra Leone range between Ten (10) and Fifteen (15) Million Leones, whilst the current exchange rate of one dollar is Ten Thousand Leones (Le10, 000). Therefore, the fees/scholarship at Limkokwing for bachelors and diploma students stands at Thirty Million (Le30, 000,000), and Twenty-Five Million Leones (Le 25,000,000) respectively per student, and per academic year. This is a huge variance, and is the case because Limkokwing is a private university (investment). During the course of the investigation, information was received that the key person of interest in this matter, Dr. Minkailu Bah, had passed away. Enquires were conducted and a death certificate was obtained from the hospital where he met his demise. The investigation was summarily concluded as the main suspect in this matter is now dead and, as a Criminal Investigations-based Commission, a man dies with his indictment. RECOMMENDATIONS: However, we have recommended the following to the government stakeholders: • That the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, engages the Limkokwing University Management for a thorough review of the “Memorandum of Agreement” – especially on the fees structure, and seek ratification from Parliament as provided in Section 40 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No 6 of 1991. • There is already in evidence a thorough audit report that was sanctioned and carried out by the Ministry of Finance to ascertain the number of students and GoSL financial obligations to Limkokwing. The ACC gives deference to that audit and its recommendations including the settlement of the outstanding liabilities of the government. • Consider review of the powers of the Minister of (Technical and Higher) Education in terms of the award of scholarships to students and the establishment of a private University in Sierra Leone as enshrined in
President El-Sisi mourns with Lebanese President
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi spoke by phone this morning with Lebanese President Michel Aoun to convey his heartfelt condolences to the victims of the massive explosions that ripped through Beirut’s port yesterday, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded. The President offered his deepest sympathies to the Lebanese government and people. His Excellency wished the wounded a speedy recovery, praying that Allah will give the families of the victims solace to bear such a horrible tragedy. President El-Sisi also stressed the Egyptian government and people’s solidarity with the brothers in Lebanon and reiterated that Egypt stands ready to assist and support Lebanon in its ordeal.
Challenges on Air Travel Process… SLCAA Director-General Clears the Air
The Director-General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Moses Tiffa Baio, has cleared the air on the numerous claims on the unavailability of COVID-19 test kits at the Freetown International Airport (FNA). During an interview with the African Young Voices Television, the Director-General highlighted that there has been complete misinformation on the unavailability of test kits for arriving passengers at the airport as all 328 inbound passengers were tested and given their COVID-19 test result within 24 hours. “Following the proclamation made by H.E President Julius Maada Bio on the 22nd July 2020 regarding the reopening of the Freetown International Airport, 328 passengers have arrived to date. All of these incoming passengers have been tested for COVID-19 and only two so far have been confirmed positive. The sole essence of the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) is to eliminate the issue of quarantine at the airport,” he said. Responding to concerns raised regarding rumours making the rounds on the lack of kits available for incoming passengers at the airport, the SLCAA Boss acknowledged that there were challenges because the process was new, adding further that based on the travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, incoming passengers to Sierra Leone would be subjected to two tests; the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT). He, however, mentioned that the RDT, which was meant for secondary screening, was not available at the time of the reopening. “The PCR is considered the gold standard test for COVID-19. When swabs are collected for PCR, test results will only be out in 48 hours. Given that RDT is currently unavailable, the turnaround time for test results is within 24 hours. The RTD is considered the secondary test which is basically conducted for the purpose of screening to avoid keeping passengers at the airport whilst awaiting their PCR test results,” DG Baio revealed. Director Baio also elaborated on the issue of paying $80 for testing, noting that the sum was a cost-recovery mechanism that would guarantee the sustainability of the entire travelling process during COVID_19. “Many other nations,” he disclosed “keep arriving passengers at hotels for some time at the passengers’ own cost, whereas that is not the case in Sierra Leone. Testing has been widely regarded as one of the new-normal approaches in global travelling for passengers.” Making a comparative analysis of other countries, he revealed that passengers are paying the least for the COVID-19 test in Sierra Leone. “Payment for COVID-19 test not only peculiar to Sierra Leone as most countries require a positive PCR test result before travellers could be allowed to enter and that requires payment for the test kits. Countries which cannot provide for their travelling populace are paid for by the travelling public to conduct their tests,” he said. The Director-General maintained that mandatory tests were being carried out at the airport to avoid a situation wherein the airport would be used as a means through which more cases would be transmitted into the country as was seen in the first case of COVID-19 in the country. “There is nothing more expensive than public health safety,” he emphasized. For the procurement of RDT kits, he assured that the process had been completed and they were expecting the RDT kits in the country by the end of the week. He concluded by describing the reopening of the airport as a calculated risk geared towards minimizing the spate of infection of COVID-19.
EX- Mayor Released on Le500M Bail
By Feima Sesay A High Court in Freetown has yesterday, 5th August, 2020 granted bail to Ex- Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Herbert George Williams; a year after he had been in prison on murder charges and others. Mr Williams, a strong man of the main Opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) was released together with another APC strong man, Abubakarr Daramy. Both men have been accused of having hands in the death of a local journalist, Ibrahim Samura who was alleged to have been beaten by a group of APC supporters during the 2018 general elections in the country. State prosecutors have alleged that the two men masterminded the beating of the Editor of the New Age newspaper that led to his death months after. The Judge, Justice Cosmotina Jarret while issuing the bail conditions ordered that if Daramy and Williams failed to appear in court on the next adjourned date, their properties would be confiscated to the State. Her statement came after lawyers representing both accused persons had successfully made their applications for bail. The bail conditions, Justice Jarret said should be in what she described as ‘’in their own recognition in the sum of Le500 million’’ but noted that each person should provide properties worth the Le500 million each plus a valuation certificates of the properties that should be tendered to the Master and Registrar of Court. The Judge also ordered that each accused should surrender all their travel documents to the Master and Registrar. Justice Jarret further said that if the accused persons do not meet the bail conditions in their own recognition; two sureties each should stand in their recognizance and the sureties should also have properties and machinery worth Le500 million each and they should also submit a conveyance. Justice Jarret explained that she granted the accused bail because they are presumed innocent until the matter is proven otherwise. According to her, she granted them bail because the Bail Regulation of 2018 guaranteed them the right and also because the State lawyers failed to file and properly submitted the affidavit. Earlier, while making his bail application, lawyer Melron Nicole Wilson representing the first accused (Abubakarr Daramy) said his client will not interfere with the Prosecution Witnesses. “My client has a strong community task as he has a family to take care of and he will not in any way jump bail and put his family name in disrepute. The first accused is entitled to the presumption of innocence and he has been incarcerated for almost twelve months,” he appealed. Lawyer Alpha Jalloh, who represented the second accused (Herbert George Williams) adopted the bail application made by Nicol Wilson. He told the court that his client is a preacher and a former Mayor of the Freetown City Council and has also been incarcerated for over 12 months. “When he was first arrested, he was vibrant and strong but now he cannot even walk. If he is granted bail, he will seek proper medical attention and will be ready to face his trial,” he told the Court. Both accused persons are standing on two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm. It is alleged that the accused on March 31, 2018, at Lumley in Freetown murdered the late Managing Editor of New Age newspaper, Ibrahim Samura. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday, August 19, 2020.