The Judiciary of Sierra Leone’s Spokesperson, Elkass Sannoh, has on the 10th March, 2023 at the Atlantic Beach Hotel on Lumley Road in Freetown, on behalf of the Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, assured Women in the Media-Sierra Leone (WIMSAL) that they would continue to provide the enabling environment for female Journalists to practice their profession professionally within the remit of the law.
He was making a statement at the 15th Anniversary celebration of WIMSAL on the theme: “Positioning Female Journalists to Promote Women in Politics.”
According to Elkass Sannoh, the Hon. Chief Justice believes in a transparent administration and therefore the media is very important in moving in that direction.
“We would continue to support the media, We would continue to support our Journalists to make them vibrant and effective,” said the Judiciary’s Communications Director, Elkass Sannoh, assuring that, “Hon. Chief Justice Edwards is a friend of the media, and he has demonstrated that with support to the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists-SLAJ and now WIMSAL.”
Cataloging the remarkable achievements of the Judiciary, Elkass Sannoh said the Chief Justice is indeed a blessing to the Judiciary.
“We have contributed over Four Billion Leones to the Consolidated Revenue Fund through Court fees, Court fines, Estate duties and Liquor License fees,” he said, adding that this is the first time such money were raised and made public.
He said the Judiciary has now received global recognition with the appointment of the first Sierra Leonean Vice President of the Regional Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association. This was possible after the current Chief Justice had to settle a non-payment for ten years.
He said to enforce the Trafficking Act, Anti-Money Laundering and Combating of Financing Terrorism Act, 2005, five persons have been convicted for the first time.
Statements were made by various speakers, including the SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, who encouraged WIMSAL to be united and avoid distraction.
The Guest Speaker was Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden.
