Ishmael Bayoh These Sierra Leoneans were said to have been recruited with some Guineans by agents in Sierra Leone and in Guinea, and are said to have paid about $1,000 each to work in Senegal. The jobs ranges from welding, construction, agriculture, security,  toelectrician paying from 400,000cfa ($800), 300,000cfa ($600) to 250,000cfa ($500) per week. On Tuesday June 22nd, 2021, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Senegal led by His Excellency, Ambassador AlhajiBrima Elvis Koroma paid a visit to their location in the region of Thies. Seven of the online job scammers were arrested and detained by the Senegalese police in Thies. The Embassy engaged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for possible repatriation of the Sierra Leoneans. Their cases were looked into and profiled for repatriation whilst the Sierra Leone Embassy prepared  Emergency Travel Certificates for those without passports. Abdul KarimKamara, one of the victims narrated their ordeals to the Ambassasor during the embassy’s visit that they were recruited online and made to believe that the jobs were real. “They shared with us an excel document bearing the various jobs they were recruiting for with salaries attached. They asked for $1,000 each for the recruitment”. Abdul explained. Abdul further explained that one LaminKondeh, a Sierra Leonean and Abdul Salam Jalloh, a Guinean recruited them. The victims said they were made to undertake an orientation where they realized at the end that it was a scam. The police was informed and several of the alleged scammers were arrested. In one of the engagements with the Senegalese authorities, Ambassador AlhajiBrima Koroma lauded the efforts of the Commissaire at the Central Police at Thies, Moussaka Fall for his swift intervention in apprehending the alleged scammers. Speaking to the repatriated at the BlaiseDiagneInternarional Airport, Ambassador Koroma  explained to them about the dangers of trafficking and how on several occasions, Sierra Leoneans have been trafficked and abandoned in Senegal. He called on them to always verify information before undertaking any venture. He sent out a message to all Sierra Leoneans to desist from embarking on such journeys that will be detrimental to them. The Head of Chancery, Mr. SaiduTimbo earlier spoke to them before their departure to the airport to be resilient, and very conscious on the use of the social media. The Sierra Leone Embassy in Dakar collaborated with the IOM for the repatriation of the 32 to Sierra Leone. BE THE LUCKY WINNER… Orange to Splash Le150M on Innovators Orange SL which is rightly described as the leading telecommunication company in Sierra Leone is once again set to host its third edition of “Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP)” with a whopping star prize of one hundred and fifty million Leones in total to innovative Sierra Leonean men and women who have ventured into the business world with innovative ideas. Out of thousands of applications received from ambitious Sierra Leoneans, there was a tedious selection process by reputable independent judges to shortlist eight (8) who on Wednesday 8th September, 2021 will pitch their initiative in front of five judges who will select the winners at an auspicious ceremony at Orange’s Headquarters, Hill Station. The Orange Social Venture Prize (OSVP) is an annual program organized by Orange Group to showcase innovative young minds by providing financial support as start-ups and putting expertise in the management of businesses using Information Communication Technologies ICTs, through its implementing partners “Pitch Night Sierra Leone”. During the course of this competition, each country is expected to evaluate their respective project based on certain criteria such as; social and/ or environmental impact; the degree of innovation embedded in the ICT usage; the capacity of extending distribution of the product or service to several countries; the financial viability of the project and the realistic and operational nature of the project. The first Prize is one Speed Box plus monthly subscription over a period of 6 months (fair usage policy applies); Certification; Material Technical Assistance involving a Cash Prize of Le100 million. In the Women’s Category the First Prize is a Speed Box in addition to monthly subscription over a period of 6 months (fair usage policy applies); Certification and Material/Technical Assistance involving a Cash Prize of Le50 million. It could be recalled that Orange has never failed to surprise its customers with cash and other prizes as it seeks to further improve mobile and internet technology in the country. Orange SL has never ceased to ensure that it supports and complements the government’s efforts in a plethora of areas including education, health, and other areas. In recent months, Orange rolled out numerous supports to pregnant;and lactating mothers and children in the slum areas of Kroo Bay and other deprived communities.  Hundreds of women and children benefited from food, clothing and other items for which they blessed the management of Orange-SL for always thinking about them.  All of these development initiatives are in furtherance of their never-ending desire to make the lives of average Sierra Leoneans better. KKY to Gets Final Judgment Today The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has informed the general public that the landmark Supreme Court Judgment in the Case between David FornahAndAlhaji Dr. KandehKollehYumkella& others will hold on Friday 3rd September 2021at the main Law Courts Building in Freetown at 10am. Therefor the public is further informed that the said judgment will get live media coverage from leading media institutions. This move is part of the Hon. Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards’ firm commitment to transparency and accountability in the administration of justice. Owing to the COVID-19 regulations, limited number of people will be allowed with preference to be given to Litigants and their families, Journalists, CSOs, Law students and those who are directly involved in the case. Please ensure you properly wear face masks

Ex National team stars; Mohamed Kallon, Junior Tumbu and others have been called up by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) to join the country’s  Leone Stars  technical team ahead of the African Cup of Nations early next year in Cameroon. four of Leone Stars EX Players will team of with Coach Keister fix a good squard that will represent the country in a grand style after after 20 years in the cold. Below are the names of the ex players 1. Mohamed Kallon( Fifa Pro License Coach) 2. LaminConteh – Junior Tumbu( Technical Director Kamboi Eagles) 3. LaminBangura( Head Coach Port Authority fc) 4. GibrillaWoobay( Asst. Coach East End Lions fc) The four appointees should start work effectively tomorrow….. NOTE: Head Coach John Keister’sjob remain the same. No Changes. Sierra Leone Para Athlete goes highin Tokyo’s African long jump The Only African Athlete to reach the Finals of the Long Jump Men T47 Event, SorieKargbo of Sierra Leone has ended up in the 12th Position. The contest took place on Tuesday 31st August 2021 at the Paralympic Stadium in Tokyo. The African Paralympic Committee has already ranked the athlete number 1 in the T47 Long Jump. Sorie is a T46 (One Arm) Classified athlete but was included in the Class of T47 (Two Arms) athletes. He did a best jump of 5,78 Meters in the final event and recorded a Personal Best (PB) improving his last Jump in Tunisia in March which was his 4.56 Meters distance. Team Leader of Paralympic Committee UnisaDeenKargbo said his performance was a clear indication the Para Sports is growing in Sierra Leone. He explained that the continuous support that has been given to the Paralympics by the National Olympic Committee headed by Dr Patrick Coker, the Government of Sierra Leone spare heade and NSA helped the whole process of the athlete’s success.

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the National Tourism Board and the National Corona Virus Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen in Freetown have held an operation and security pillar engagement with bar, restaurant, club and hotels owners on the way forward regarding COVID-19 enhanced measures compliance at public spaces. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt emphasized on the importance of this engagement given that it is geared towards providing guideline for the operation of bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels. She noted the undeniable fact that Covid has unprecedentedly ravaged the hospitality sector but informed the gathering that they are determine to minimize the effect on the sector by taking the necessary precautions. She encouraged and appealed to all in the sector to take the vaccine and raise the awareness of the importance of vaccination especially as this will ensure a cluster immunity boost capable of protecting more people. She stated that the international community is now ranking the percentage of people vaccinated in a country which she said would determine the number of people that would come to the country. She called on those in the sector to be serious about vaccination in order to get the sector back on track. The Spokesperson for NaCOVERC, Solomon Jamiru remarked on how the Pandemic is taking a different turn making life more difficult for most people. He mentioned that as the fight against the virus continues, the key decision to scale down restrictions is informed by the epidemiological data. He mentioned that as the third wave of the virus continues to strike, the priority of the government is to protect the lives of its citizens, noting that the current nature of restrictions on entertainment and the hospitality sector continue to be in force. He called on the sector to be forward looking and provide a sense of the model of restriction that they would consider and the framework NaCOVERC and other stakeholders would consider for safe resumption of activities in the sector and assured them that government is ready to listen and consider. He said government itself wants to see resumption of normal business operations but as a government they would not compromise public health and the only mechanism for protection is vaccination. To this end, he encouraged vaccination of everyone in the sector. Business owners within the sector made a plea to Tourism ministry and NaCOVERC to increase sensitization around the importance of vaccination to dispel negative myths and propaganda which they said is the greatest obstacle to compliance currently. US Ambassador to Sierra Leone Pays Courtesy Call on Minister Kai-Kai His Excellency David Reimer, the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai at his Tower Hill office, in Freetown. The meeting, among other things, was meant to provide an opportunity to discuss progress in the development trajectory of Sierra Leone including the Development Cooperation, NGO Coordination, District-level Development Coordination as well as Sierra Leone’s eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact consideration and other key development areas. In his welcome statement, Minister Kai-Kai thanked Ambassador Reimer for the visit, acknowledging the United States Government’s support over the years, particularly during the country’s civil war, the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Kai-Kai also gave an overview of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023) as well as initiatives the New Direction government currently implement to ensure that Sierra Leone continues to have a modern, diversified, efficient and financially sustainable economy. The Ambassador, on his part thanked the Minister for the warm reception, highlighting critical development interventions the US government continues to support in Sierra Leone, particularly in the health sector. The two countries continue to maintain high level of bilateral cooperation. Alleged Le183.4MTheft at Zenith Bank…Staff Testifies By FeimaSesay The first prosecution witness Louis Turayon Monday 30 August 2021 testified in the on-going preliminary investigation into alleged fraud at Zenith Bank before Magistrate SahrKekura, against the marketing officer of Zenith Bank, Wellington branch and one customer of the said bank. The accused persons Marvin Onyedikacti and Hassan MorieYajah were dragged to court on three counts charges of Conspiracy contrary to law, Larceny and Larceny by Servant, all contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone. According to the charge statement on count one, police alleged that both accused persons on diverse date between 14 March 2021 and 13 July 2021 at Zenith Bank Rawdon Street Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit Larceny. The Police further alleged that on count two the first accused Marvin Onyedikacti on the said dates at Zenith Bank Wellington Branch stole the sum of one hundred and eighty three million, four hundred and forty one thousand six hundred and forty Leones (183,441,640) property of Zenith Bank. Whiles counts three stated that the second accused Hassan MorieYajah on same date in Freetown did steal the sum of fifty million Leones (Le 50,000,000) property of Zenith Bank. In continuation of his evidence recognized both accused persons and recalled the aformentioned dates. He added that on 7 July 2021, the bank received a complaint from one customer allegeding that 450 USD has been missing from his account, adding that upon receipt of that information they told the customer to do it in writing which was done. The said complainant letter was produced and tendered in court to form part of the records. He said after receiving the complaint from complainant, they conducted an internal  investigation, adding that during the course of the internal investigation it was revealed that the fund in question 450 US dollar was transfer from the account of the complaint  to one IsataMomoh account using mobile banking. According to him it was also discovered that  the said  IsataMomoh was the wife of first accused person. The witness said after it was discovered that the monies were transfer to  first  accused wife,  they then asked first

SaiduBangura, Student Union President participants, and others By: Amara Kargbo The AI Professional College has officially launched the Debating Society on campus with its crux objective of encouraging students to unleash their potentials through public speaking, at their Campus, Kingtom, Freetown on the 27th August 2021. SaiduTimbo, Administration Officer of AI Professional College stated that establishing a debating society platform was one of completing academic pursuance that teaches the level of exposure that students desire, creating the avenue of impacting the lives of others and he encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity that was being created within the campus. The AI Professional College equally conducted its first debate on campus which at the launch of the Debating Society. SaiduTimbo explained to attendants that introducing a debating society on campus was one of every institution is looking forward to, previously, their college activities were done indoors, however, launching the debating society was the first time to invite other students from other institutions, hence, educational activities are not a close door activity, the college administration demented it fit for their students to interact, relate with others institutions. Medoria P. Mansaray, a first-year student of the AI Profession College said it was an ideal initiative for having a debating society on campus, adding that,  many students did not have the oratory skills is required as humans, neither they may shy away, but withseries of debates within campus or conservations among students will be able to inculcate their habit of public speaking. Ishatu Sow, a student from the Institute of Public Management and Administration (IPAM) who also doubles as a renowned debater at IPAM, said she appreciates what the college has initiated especially of encouraging students to public speaking which in many ways will enhance them to build and identify their potentials. She annotating that public speaking is either you being the leader that one wants to be, and students should speak without fear. Being a beginner or a debater was not something easy sometimes viewers will perceive as nobody, but in the end, debate helps in building individual productivity like presentations and research skills. SaiduBangura, Student Union President at AI Professional College said it was a promise he made while he was campaign for Student Union President in the college that he would make sure there is a debating club on campus that enhance build the debating skills for students and he was able to achieve that painstaking promise he made to his colleagues’ student and college administration. He called on students to grabsuch chance and challenging students that he wants to AI Professional College Students to representing the College in next year Sierra Leone Debating Council Inter-University Debate Championship. S/Leone Gets New Embassay in Morocco  Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David J. Francis his team were warmly received by His Excellency, AtumanniDainkeh, Sierra Leone’s  ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco a couple of days ago to innugurate the country’s new embassy in the Kingdom . The event happended  on the 27th August 2021; this is in line with remodelling and projecting Sierra Leone’s diplomatic aspirations, the newly created Embassy of Sierra Leone in Morocco has succeeded in establishing a strong foothold in one of the key countries in the Mediterranean region that is also a crucial player in the Arab world, and increasingly in world affairs. HE ambassador AtumanniDainkeh, Sierra Leone’s  very first ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco is busy planting and expanding viable diplomatic footprints in vital areas of our overall national goals. His engagement with the Moroccans over this short period has produced several positive results. An agreement has been secured for a considerable increase in scholarships for Sierra Leonean students to pursue higher education in various disciplines in the Kingdom of Morocco, from a token 12 to an encouraging 75 spaces. Ambassador Dainkeh has also obtained a substantial increase in Hajj scholarships from 50 to 250 people. Also, a capacity building study package has been agreed. This would ensure the training of 32 imams with each district providing at least two people for the training program. The Kingdom has also pledged support to the Republic of Sierra Leone in its bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council 2023-2024.  Additionally, all Sierra Leoneans who have been living in the Kingdom of Morocco without proper documentation will be amnestied and a visa-on-arrival program for holders of Sierra Leone Passport travelling to the Kingdom has been accepted in principle and will form part of the Joint Cooperation Agreement. The Moroccan Foreign Minister will commence discussions with his relevant colleague Ministers to implement the amesty in a phased manner starting with those who are married to a Moroccan, followed by those with jobs and then the rest. Finally, the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco has agreed in the spirit of reciprocity, to commence action that would lead to the opening of the Moroccan Embassy in Sierra Leone in February 2022. In a strategic meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, including other important members of Government, Professor David J. Francis, signed a Roadmap of Cooperation covering the areas of Education, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Health, Tourism, Youths, Sports and Renewable Energy. Accordingly, several other strategic meetings were also held with the Minister of Harbours and Islamic Affairs, the Director General of the Moroccan Intelligence Agency, Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, and the Director General of Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation. In his keynote speech during the official opening ceremony of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Rabat, Professor Francis acknowledged the strategic location of the Kingdom of Morocco and maintained that President Bio considers the Kingdom as a reliable partner and friend in Sierra Leone’s development aspirations. “The Government of President Bio has undertaken to effectively rebrand Sierra Leone in this rapidly changing international environment, and we consider the Kingdom of Morocco to be a reliable partner in this endeavour”, Minister Francis underlined. Following the inauguration, the

Court of Appeal Judge who presides over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court (SOMC), in freetown, Justice Jamesina King has  yesterdaysentenced a teen , 41-year-old Ibrahim Sesay, a tailor by occupation, to 15 years imprisonment . The Judge also  orderedthat a compensation of Le10,000,000 (Ten Million Leones) be paid by the accusedfor sexually penetrating and impregnating the  12-year-old pupil (victim). The accused, Sesay was before the Court on a one count indictment of sexual penetration. The court said that the convict on a date unknown between the 1st to the 30th June 2017, sexually penetrated the victim somewhere around Lumley in the west end of Freetown. The victim in her evidence in chief, affirmed that it was the convict who impregnated her  during the month of Ramadan in 2017. According to her, the incident took place when her aunt asked her to spend 2 nights in the convict’s room because her uncle had wanted to sleep in her aunt’s room and there was not enough room for all of them. She saidSesay also proposed to teach the victim and her two friends how to perform prayers. 5th prosecution witness, Dr. Olabisi Cole, from Rainbo Centre,  told the court that the victim’s hymen was ruptured, adding that they found out that the victim was nine (9) weeks pregnant. After the close of the Prosecution’s case, the defence opened its case leading in evidence two witnesses including the convict in support of their case. The defence challenged the medical report, citing inconsistency in the dates in the report admitted to by the Doctor as an error which did not affect her findings. The convict vehemently denied the allegations against him and said he was innocent. The judge had said that the victim was a child. shenoted that that the victim was consistent in her entire evidence, Justice King referenced the medical report which affirmed that the child had a ruptured hymen and that an ultrasound scan proved that she was pregnant. The  accused,Sesayhad said he was innocent. The judge in her judgemnet had noted that the ten million Leones must be paid by the convict immediately or within 5 years after his release. Justice King also ordered the Ministries of Social Welfare and Gender and Children’s Affairs to provide care for victim and her child and to also protect their identities. Foreign Nationals caught in Illegal Mining Police , together with officials of the  Environment Protection Agency (EPA)in the South regionin Peje and Kabonde Chiefdoms in pujehun district have arrested some foreigners who had been engaged in illegal mining activities in that community. The  foreign nationals were arrested as a few of their colleagues fled the area as police stormed the scene. Reports said  the suspects whose nationalities have not been disclosed by the policehad taken to the Bo  police station. EPA officals in the region have told Public Review that the stint operations are part of their swift move to monitor illegal mining activities in the district . They said the move is part of their  ‘’ compliance raids’’ in monitoring to effectively manage and protect the environment. ‘’There has been an increase in illegal mining in various part of country causing serious pollution of water bodies and the use of ban substance with attendant health implications for people in those communities.’’ A top EPA offcial told PR last night.  Reports say the raids were carried out in communities such as ;Kuiva and Futa villages in Kabonde Chiefdoms. The team of officials was headed by the Acting regional manager of EPA, Joseph Gbassa. The foreigners, the reports revealed were actively engaged in mining along the Wanjeriver with dredge machines without an Environmental Impact Assessment License. This, accordingly ,contravenes section 23 of the Environment Protection Agency Act of 2008 and it’s amendment in 2010. ‘’what is most unfortunate is the unwillingness of some local authorities to cooperate with the Agency to protect the environment for all. It is evident that these foreigners are hosted by some community members ‘’ a Police officer in the region told PR last evening.