By Abubakarr Harding
As few months from now the country will be holding its multi-tier elections there is now a big hurdle for the main opposition All People Congress (APC) Party as High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Hannah Bonnie has slammed an interim injunction restraining the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) from holding the National Delegates’ Conference slated for 17, 18 and 19 February, 2023 in Makeni City pending the hearing and determination of a recent application filed by a member of the APC Party.
Among other things, the Plaintiff also asked the Court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining those members who were found “culpable of dishonest nature” by the COI from contesting for any position in the APC, especially when the said COI Judgments have not been overturned by the Court.
The matter was adjourned to the 23rd February, 2023.
In another Press Release dated 16th February, 2021 issued by the Sierra Leone Police captioned, “Revocation of Police Clearance Issued to The All Peoples Congress Party to Hold National Delegates Conference”, it was stated that the general public must be informed that it received a letter dated 10th February, 2023, signed by one Alhaji Mohamed Aka Koroma (Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee – ITGC).
The said letter notified the SLP that the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party will be conducting its National Delegates Conference at their Regional Office in Makeni from 17th to 19th February, 2023 and therefore requested the SLP to grant permission for the said convention to be held.
According to the SLP in a letter dated 15th February, 2023, it acknowledged receipt of same and further conveyed the Inspector General’s approval of the request to provide security coverage for the proposed National Delegates Conference.
The Police continued that whilst preparations were ongoing to provide security coverage for the National Delegates Conference, the office of the Inspector General on Wednesday 15th February, 2023, received a High Court Order, which slammed an Interim Injunction on the All Peoples Congress from holding the said National Delegates Conference.
The SLP said in view thereof, it would like to inform the general public that its letter dated 15th February, 2023, which conveyed the Inspector General’s approval for the conduct of the All Peoples Congress Party National Delegates Conference in Makeni from 17th February, 2023 to 19th February, 2023, is hereby withdrawn.
In that regard, the Sierra Leone Police said it is advising everyone to comply with the High Court Order and further urged to desist from converging at the said venue for the planned National Delegates’ Conference.
The Police added that meanwhile, in compliance with the Order of the High Court, the Office of the IGP has officially dispatched a letter dated 16th February, 2023, to the APC Party, informing same about the revocation of the earlier Police Clearance issued on 15th February, 2023 also urging the general public to go about their normal legal business.
