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As 500 Million Star Prize is up for grabs… ‘ Orange Sierra Leone Sponsors Big Sister Season 2

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As the much anticipated Big Sister Season 2 Reality TV Show is set to kick off this weekend, Alimatou Mbaye, Chief Marketing Officer, Orange Sierra Leone, has revealed why the company is supporting the popular show.

According to Alimatou, “Our sponsorship of Big Sister is to enhance and make participants achieve their dreams of becoming valuable players in the Sierra Leone entertainment industry and to promote women empowerment extensively by showcasing talents to the world.”

“Our support of Big Sister will boost the entertainment industry in Sierra Leone, a clear vision of our CEO Aminata Kane,” she added.

She furthered that just as they did with the signing of comedians and musicians as brand ambassadors, even during the COVID -19 pandemic, they believe the industry needs all the support it can get from key players of economic activities to make it grow.

Orange-SL says its remain committed to local talent mining and very proud to be the key sponsors of major events and activities including the Sierra Leone Premier League and Now the Biggest Reality TV show ‘Big Sister’.

Alimatou Mbaye noted that more importantly, Orange intends to use Big Sister to re-echo the ‘No Woman No Cry’ theme by the organizers Zed Zee Multimedia consult.

Zainab Sheriff, the CEO and Founder of Big Sister registered her delight to partner with the biggest mobile company to make her dream of empowering women a reality. She noted that 35 women from all over the world will participate in this year’s Big sister and the star Prize of 500 Million Leones will be up for grabs.

Request for Expression of Interest

The Management of Orange (SL) Limited is inviting competent providers of the following services who may want to participate in the Sourcing Process to request for the official Request for Proposal documents via email between Friday 2nd October 2020 to Wednesday 7th October 2020

  1. Provision of Printing Services
  2. Supply of Merchandising and Advertising Material

The two needs are mutually exclusive and totally independent of each other. Competent providers are could express interest in any need of their choice.

The official Request for Proposal documents could be requested from –  OSL.Sourcing@Orange-Sonatel.com

The Executive & Legislature Must take Our Nascent Democracy to a Higher Level By Alfie Barrie: A columnist and Television Anchor Those who postulate the libertarian concept will give a nod to the notion that the fundamental role of Parliament in any democracy is to make laws and provide effective and efficient oversight over the State (including the private sector). Through effective oversight the Executive will be able to robustly and substantially push through the country’s development agendas. It is, however, generally agreed that our Parliament and the Executive over the years have fallen far short of this democratic dictum. To make matters worse, the spine tingling admission of the Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Gavao, that Members of Parliament normally extort money from presidential appointees and or from Ministries, Departments and Agencies is not just shocking but by all equal measures recidivistic! That shocking confession has thrown an already over stretched Anti Corruption Commission into the limelight. The ACC is now in a rock and hard place. There seem to be daylight corrupt practice happening right under their glare, but having iron clad evidence within their grasp seem to be evasive as mere admission of guilt will not stand the test in court. Meanwhile, the resignation of Hon. Tawa Conteh prior to his resignation as the Chairman of the Transparency and Accountability Committee in Parliament has been touted by many as heroic. His resignation has thrown fresh spanners in the works of this rumbling imbroglio. Conversely, there seem to be a sliver of positive from this saga. Hon. Tawa going toe -to- toe with the Minister of Information and Communication on the unbundling of SALCAB shows patriotism. It equally connotes that there are men and women in this country who are ready to go against their own selfish gains for the greater good. Hon.Tawa has set a high bar for others to mimic. The same could be said of Hon. Chernor Bah of the APC when they were in governance. Parliament should no longer be a rubber stamp institution. The culture of resigning when one feels arm-twisted should be the modus operandi in our body politics. Moving forward, we need to support stronger institutions and proliferate them with people of integrity and competence. Also, policy takers when voting for policy makers should vote based on policies rather than some anachronistic political considerations.

By Alfie Barrie: A columnist and Television Anchor

Those who postulate the libertarian concept will give a nod to the notion that the fundamental role of Parliament in any democracy is to make laws and provide effective and efficient oversight over the State (including the private sector).

Through effective oversight the Executive will be able to robustly and substantially push through the country’s development agendas. It is, however, generally agreed that our Parliament and the Executive over the years have fallen far short of this democratic dictum.

To make matters worse, the spine tingling admission of the Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Gavao, that Members of Parliament normally extort money from presidential appointees and or from Ministries, Departments and Agencies is not just shocking but by all equal measures recidivistic! That shocking confession has thrown an already over stretched Anti Corruption Commission into the limelight.

The ACC is now in a rock and hard place. There seem to be daylight corrupt practice happening right under their glare, but having iron clad evidence within their grasp seem to be evasive as mere admission of guilt will not stand the test in court.

Meanwhile, the resignation of Hon. Tawa Conteh prior to his resignation as the Chairman of the Transparency and Accountability Committee in Parliament has been touted by many as heroic.

His resignation has thrown fresh spanners in the works of this rumbling imbroglio. Conversely, there seem to be a sliver of positive from this saga.

Hon. Tawa going toe -to- toe with the Minister of Information and Communication on the unbundling of SALCAB shows patriotism. It equally connotes that there are men and women in this country who are ready to go against their own selfish gains for the greater good. Hon.Tawa has set a high bar for others to mimic. The same could be said of Hon. Chernor Bah of the APC when they were in governance. Parliament should no longer be a rubber stamp institution.

The culture of resigning when one feels arm-twisted should be the modus operandi in our body politics.

Moving forward, we need to support stronger institutions and proliferate them with people of integrity and competence. Also, policy takers when voting for policy makers should vote based on policies rather than some anachronistic political considerations.

Angels to Angels-SL doles out Learning Materials to 100 Less Privileged Children

Cross Section of beneficiaries of the learning materials donation

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their continuous support to less privileged children, especially girls in Sierra Leone, Angels to Angels Sierra Leone, a non-Governmental organization has on Sunday 27th September, 2020 donated school items worth millions of Leones to 100 less privileged pupils across the country.

The donation exercises took place at Biz Bazaar in the East End of Freetown and at Timbo Drive, Borbor, in the Western Rural District respectively. The items that were donated items included Text and Exercise Books, Uniforms and Bags of Rice.

In her address to the beneficiaries, parents and guardians, Founder of Angels 2 Angels, Fatu Quinie Sesay, disclosed that the organization is a US based non-profit entity established by a group of visionary women with the avowed aim of providing educational opportunities for girls particularly in Sierra Leone and Africa in general. She noted further that her organization seeks to equip young girls with skills and tools that will empower them to put them at a vantage position to have a better and brighter future.

She added that the donation of the school items to the 100 less privileged pupils, mainly girls, is a fulfillment of the vision of the organization even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

The Founder added that they are presently sponsoring over 100 girls across the country all of them in 46 different schools in Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Tombo and Makeni, also disclosing that Angels to Angels is striving to help break the cycle of poverty through education.

“A2A seeks to empower girls by providing them with educational scholarships and funding their educational pursuits  in order to see them go through the primary school level which we have been doing for over 11 years now,” she intimated  reiterating how they are keen to ensure that girls become confident to pursue their dreams and become role models for others to emulate.

She pointed out that her organization is aware of the fact that some the girls drop out of school at the primary school stage before proceeding to the secondary school level stressing how the chances of re-entering the educational system could be very slim.

She inspired pupils to take their studies serious underscoring how education is the key to success.  “Education is a process of learning that one goes through in order to become somebody in society”.

Fatu Quinie Sesay, encouraged them to take the opportunities the organization has offered in order to achieve their dreams and become great people in society who will in return give back to society as she is currently doing.

She expressed her warmest appreciation to the United States of America Board members and other generous sponsors for their tremendous contributions they have been rendering saying such has made it possible to roll out their interventions in various communities in the country.

National Coordinator of Angels to Angels Sierra Leone, Saidu Sankoh, revealed that the donation of the school items to the beneficiaries was geared towards supporting them to pursue their education, furthering how they are doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful to them especially at this decisive moment.

He admonished beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity saying many other children want such an opportunity also underscoring that education is the key to success and they should take their studies serious, adding that with education they will achieve their dreams and become great people in society.

He ended by admonishing parents to be aware of their roles and responsibilities towards the development of their children; underscoring that they have pivotal roles to play towards the growth of their children. In that regard he encouraged them to monitor their children’s activities.

Fatmata Conteh, a beneficiary thanked Angels to Angels Sierra Leone and the USA membership Board for the kind gesture which she graciously said was not only important but very timely in the midst of COVID-19 in the country. She highlighted that as the reopening of schools will soon take place the gesture will ease the burden on parents to purchase school materials.

She called on other humanitarian organizations to come on board to support disadvantaged girls.

Mary Bangura, a parent of one of the beneficiaries, expressed her deepest appreciation to the organization for the gesture, adding that with the organization’s support it will lessen the financial burden on her.

Fiber Backbone Phase 2 To Connect 14 Districts

By Bampia James Bundu

The Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray has over the weekend revealed to journalists in Kenema that 14 Districts across the country would have to benefit from the National Fiber Backbone Phase two project being implemented by Huawei Technologies.

The $30 Million dollar loan project from the Chinese Government, contracted to Huawei Technologies seeks to complete the fibre backbone connection in the entire initial 14 Districts as well as to provide sustainable digital technology across the country.

In his address the Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Rahman Swaray commended Huawei Technologies for their commitment towards the civil construction of the fibre backbone in the South and South-East.

He described Huawei as a strategic partner in supporting the Government’s national agenda for the digitalization of Sierra Leone and one of the biggest in ICT infrastructure and smart devices in the world.

He stated that President Bio noted that Sierra Leone, like the rest of other countries in West Africa, has missed out on three industrial revolutions and so he does not want the country to miss out on this fourth industrialization revolution.

According to him, the President has prioritised digitalization as an important catalyst to ensure Sierra Leone become competitive both locally and abroad.

The Minister added that if a look is taken at the Government’s National Development Plan -Cluster 3.5 the Ministry must ensure that they improve and enhance the country’s telecommunications connectivity both locally and internationally.

He disclosed that the Ministry has done a lot in undertaking several reforms in the Ministry and will continue to do more to transform the country digitally.

Mohamed Swaray noted that upon the completion of the fibre backbone the whole country will be connected and it will help enhance fibre penetration to homes and communities.

He called on Huawei to continue their engagement with community stakeholders and ensure that they provide jobs for youths in  areas where they are operating.

The Project Manager, HUAWEI Technologies, Nana Yaw Amoako, commended the Ministry and SALCAB for visiting their project sites, saying they have started the civil work of the project which he described as the most important and difficult part of the project.

He said that once the civil work is finished they will start installation of other equipment and blow the fibre cables inside the HDPE pipes that will run the fibre from one point to the other with steady and sustainable internet.

He assured the Ministry and SALCAB of their commitment to completing the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Chinese Ambassador Speaks on 71st Anniversary

His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, China’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone

By Amin Kef Sesay

His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, China’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone in his address to mark the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China which is the 1st October 2020 stated that in the past 71 years, the People’s Republic of China has gone through an extraordinary journey and achieved the miracle of rapid economic development accompanied with long-term social stability which is rarely seen in the world.

He revealed how the year 2020 witnessed China face up to daunting challenges and blaze its way forward. The envoy said at the beginning of this year, China was struck by COVID-19 abruptly and it turned out to be the most serious public health emergency China had ever come across since 1949.

“Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the whole nation waged an all-out people’s war on the virus. Through painstaking efforts and tremendous sacrifice, China has won strategic victory in controlling the virus,” he furthered adding how in that hard battle, the Chinese people and the Chinese nation carried forward the great spirit of putting people and lives first, maintaining nationwide solidarity, making fearless and selfless contributions, respecting science, and having a sense of mission for humanity.

He said the strength, spirit, efficiency, and responsibility displayed by the Chinese Government and people in fighting the pandemic have been widely recognized and highly acclaimed by the international community.

“The year 2020 witnessed China make solid progress and harvest remarkable achievements,” he mentioned stating that China coordinated epidemic control with economic and social development, and took a lead in resuming normal work and daily life.

The Ambassador pointed out that today, vigour and vitality resumed in each and every corner of China revealing how in the second quarter of this year, China’s economic growth rate turned from negative to 3.2%.

He said China is the first major economy to achieve positive growth since the outbreak of COVID-19 that China has continued to register major scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Ambassador Hu Zhangliang made mention of how the global networking of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System has been completed. The “Tianwen-1” Mars probe has been successfully launched; the commercialization of 5G technology has been accelerated and the development of COVID-19 vaccine has reached the third phase of clinical trial.

He said this year China will clinch a complete victory in eradicating poverty and build a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled.

According to him such will solve the problem of absolute poverty that has plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years.  He said by the end of this year, China will realize the first “Centenary Goal” with the Communist Party of China fulfilling its solemn promise to the Chinese people.

“The year 2020 witnessed China cooperating closely with the International Community to overcome common difficulties.

In the war against COVID-19 that humanity has to fight and win, China provided substantial support to the International Community despite enormous challenges at home. Up to now, China offered medical supplies assistance to more than 150 countries and international organizations and sent over 30 medical expert teams to countries in need,” he continued.

The Ambassador said at the Virtual Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly and the Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity against COVID-19, H.E. President Xi Jinping announced a host of major measures to support other parts of the world.

He stated that although certain countries wilfully pursue unilateralism and hegemony, withdraw from international treaties and organizations and escalate provocative actions against China and other countries, China stays firm in upholding multilateralism, the UN-centered international system and international justice.

He said China actively promotes the construction of a new type of international relations featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice and win-win cooperation and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. In short, China has injected positive energy into a world full of instability and uncertainty which is further exacerbated by the pandemic.

“The year 2020 witnessed China-Sierra Leone friendship get further enriched and consolidated. China and Sierra Leone have always been good friends through thick and thin. At the critical stage of China’s fight against COVID-19, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio sent a letter to H.E. President Xi Jinping expressing sympathy and solidarity. The Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone passed a special resolution and awarded a certificate of solidarity to the National People’s Congress of China. Friends from various circles demonstrated solidarity with China in different ways,” he pointed out.

The Ambassador again stated that when Sierra Leone was struck by the virus, China was the first to provide swift medical assistance even though China herself was still faced with huge challenges.

He said so far, the Chinese side has provided several rounds of much-needed medical supplies to Sierra Leone.

On behalf of the Chinese side, the Ambassador wished to take the opportunity to commend the Sierra Leonean Government and people for their robust efforts to prevent and control the pandemic under the staunch leadership of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio.

He said China will continue to support Sierra Leone in the fight against the pandemic and social economic development.

“The more hardships, the greater Chinese people’s resolution.The past 71 years have never been a smooth journey for China, but China has successfully overcome one challenge after another with significant achievements,” he said maintaining that history and facts have proven that the leadership of the Communist Party of China and Socialism with Chinese characteristics are the fundamental pillars for China’s great successes.

The Ambassador iterated that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, the Chinese Government and people have every confidence and capability to tide over whatever storm on their way forward and achieve the great national rejuvenation.

He said China is willing to join hands with the international community including Sierra Leone to build a community with a shared future for mankind and create an even better tomorrow!

For His Bottom-Top Approach… Planning Minister Dr.Kaikai Deserves Praise

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai

By Amin Kef Sesay

The usual pattern has been for Government to dictate the people’s development needs and priorities, most times, without any consultation with the people that will be beneficiaries and implementers of the projects, programs and policies designed.

In the Sierra Leone context, the Minister of Economic Planning, Dr Francis Kaikai in validating the country’s Medium Tern National Development Plan deserves kudos for using the bottom-top approach to find out from the people themselves what their priority development needs are.

In consultations held with stakeholders and the people in fourteen districts, what clearly emerged was that the people need roads, agriculture and energy most.

The reason why the rural people prioritize roads and agriculture is very clear to see.

Road access improvement in the productive rural areas contributes to productivity enhancement especially in remote areas. Findings are that a lot of food rot and wastes in hard to reach rural areas because of lack of motorable roads and vehicles to transport goods to markets.

The research shows that alleviating poverty through road infrastructure development is a major catalysis in theprocess of economic development and is a particular important factorto the growth of rural areas.

The African Development Bank believes that improvement of roads will have far reaching effects on agricultural productivity.

Where the majority of roadnetworks is poorly developed or in a dilapidated state, studies have shown stagnatedinvestment in agricultural sector and coupled with poor access to markets, these nations are prone to extreme poverty and hunger.

Impacts of road infrastructure in Asia and Latin America haveshown positive impacts on a number of outcomes: reduction in poverty levels, increased investments in agriculture and industry, increased household income and consumptionand investments in healthand education.

Significantly, rural to urban migration can be controlled when the rural areas have accessible roads, investments in agriculture and energy availability.

Orange Money Lajor Takes Financial Inclusion To Another Level

Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, David Samba Mansaray

By Mary Kabay

The Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, David Samba Mansaray, has said that it was a key milestone in the history of Orange Money as they partnered with Empire Solution, a Micro Finance Institution, to launch “Orange Money Lajor” which for short is called OM Lajor.

“OM Lajor is a digital micro lending facility to support individuals, Micro and Small Businesses gain access to finance and it is a key step towards improving Financial Inclusion in Sierra Leone,” he disclosed.

David underscored that Financial Inclusion rate in Sierra Leone is 20% (UNCDF Report), well below Sub -Saharan average of 44%.

He noted that only 15% of men and 8% of women own bank accounts and just 5% of the adult population gain access to credit facility (World Bank Report).

The CEO also highlighted that with the ravaging impact of COVID-19, OM Lajor comes in handy to provide support to vast majority of the population and the retail end of the business community.

He told the audience that the solution does not require collateral or the administrative burden customers face in securing loans from the traditional financing sectors.

“With access to a phone and an operating mobile money account for more than 90days customers can access finance to carry on with their daily lives,” he revealed adding  how the challenges around gender bias has been eliminated with a big advantage for citizens residing in the most remote end of the country.

He extended appreciation to the staff and Board Members of Orange Mobile Finance (Orange Money) and Empire Solution who worked tirelessly to bring the new product to fruition. David also expressed gratitude to the Central Bank for their efforts in creating the enabling environment and their push to expand the digital economy.

Jeneba Dorcas Sacky, Human Resource/Admin Manager of Empire Solution Sierra Leone Limited, expressed delight for partnering with Orange Money Salone in order to meet the financial needs of people who are in need of money by offering loans to them without guarantors or collateral securities as traditional commercial banks do request before granting loans. She also buttressed the rationale for launching the new product and the attendant benefits for subscribers.

The Assistant Marketing Manager of Orange Money, Alfred Kamara did a presentation on the loaning scheme.

Orange Money Lajor is a small loan scheme that allows KYC (Know Your Customer) to take place. To be eligible to benefit from the scheme one should be known as a registered subscriber of Orange Money. Also the subscriber should have been frequently using Orange Money, meaning that the customer’s name and other details must have been in the Orange Money system.

It other words, customer registration and active money transactions  ,using Orange Money are key determinants for subscribers to be able to access loans using their mobile phones via their Orange Money accounts.

These customers or subscribers must have been actively using the Orange Money platform for 90 days and above.

This loan scheme is available on a 24 hours basis as long as customers are qualified to take loans.

The loan amounts issued are within the range of Le15, 000, Le30, 000, Le 50, 000, Le100, 000 and Le200, 000.

To obtain this loan, customers must first register for the service and accept the terms and conditions. After successful registrations customers will be qualified to access loans.

To register always dial #144# and select option7or you directly dial #144*7#. You can do your transaction through Orange Money Lajor easily. Don’t forget that there are charges allocated for each loan transaction and it is affordable for the least person’s use. The charges are 12% fee on any loan amount applied for.

Customers have an option to pay at any time within 30 days.

If it happens that customers do not pay within 30 days, the customers’ Orange Money Accounts will be blocked and they will be only allowed to cash in. The account will only be opened after customers pay.

Added penalties on customers will be 5% interest if payment is done within 31-60 days and 10%interest if it is done after 60 days.

Reminder SMS will be sent to all customers before the expiration of the duration.

Customers can repay loan by dialing#144# and select option 7 or directly dial #144*7#. Customers can also repay in bits as long as it is within 30days.

The Orange Money Lajor makes room for a specific help line for its service which could be accessed by dialling *747# and 111 for any information or complaint regarding the service.

However, this service does not make room for taking loan on behalf of another customer or even pay on behalf of another customer.

The Orange Family is encouraging Sierra Leoneans to embark on this new loan offer as it requires no long process.

Abibatu Turay, Assistant Manager, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department (OFISD) of the Bank of Sierra Leone joined the CEO of Orange Money to launch the promotion.

It could be recalled that Orange Money Sierra Leone launched Orange Lajor on the 24th September 2020 at its Rawdon Street Office during a brief ceremony.

APC Labels COI Report & White Paper as Legally Flawed

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the wake of the release of the Government White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry Report, the All People’s Congress (APC) Party issued a Press Statement on the 27th September 2020 stating its position.

The Party said it notes, with no surprise, thefindings and recommendations contained in the Government White Paper and Reports of the Commissions of Inquiry (COI).

It continues that they observe with grave concern that the findings and recommendations are consistent with those contained in the Government Transition Team (GTT) Report authored exclusively by members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

The APC Party disclosed how it had registered its concern that the GTT Report maliciously targeted officials of the past APC Government by investigating, indicting, and punishing them, even before the flawed Commissions of Inquiry were established.

According to the party a case in point is the continued imposition of an unlawful travel ban on and freezing of bank accounts of past APC Government officials, without any order of the High Court sanctioning same.

“It is therefore discernible that the Commissions of Inquiry are the interpretations of the overt intentions of the GTT report: Members of the SLPP who served on the GTT assumed the roles of investigators, persecutors, interpreters and enforcers of the law. From the outset, the sole aim of the SLPP Government was and has always been to unfairly malign and victimize APC stalwarts for political gains,” the APC underscored in strong terms.

The party stated how it wishes it to be known that its leadership and members will support any accountability process that is fair, independent and accountable to the Constitution and the people of Sierra Leone.

It went on  that given that the Commissions of Inquiry set up by the SLPP Government were neither constitutional, fair, independent nor accountable, the APC Party hereby states in the strongest possible terms that the Government White Paper and COI reports are politically motivated, legally flawed and procedurally defective.

The Party maintained that a COI process that is unaccountable to the Constitution of Sierra Leone and deliberately refused to be scrutinized cannot, by the same stretch, scrutinize and hold Persons of Interest (POIs) accountable. Against that backdrop, the APC said it therefore rejects the findings and recommendations of the Government White Paper and COI reports in their entirety.

Part of the content of the Press Statement says some, among many other reasons which will be addressed in due course that informed the APC’s decision are as follows:

That from the inception, Members of Parliament of APC questioned the constitutionality of common paragraphs 6 Constitutional Instruments No. 64, 65 and 67 of 2018, setting up the Commissions of Inquiry on the basis that they are in contravention of Section 150 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 (the Constitution). The Party said that objection was discountenanced by both the SLPP Members of Parliament and expectedly the Executive Arm.

The second one is that prior to the commencement of the COI proceedings, member of the APC whose rights were affected by the above Constitutional Instruments, by an Originating Notice of Motion applied to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone for an interpretation of, among other provisions, Section 150 of the Constitution viz-a-viz common paragraphs 6 of the referred Constitutional Instruments, as provided by law.

Joining the Legislative and Executive Arms, the APC continued that the Chief Justice of the Judiciary deliberately but compliantly refused and/or failed to empanel judges and assign the matter for hearing and determination.

Similarly, it stated, the application filed by the Sierra Leone Bar Association, an apolitical organisation, in respect of the same issue suffered the same fate.

The APC said thirdly, that upon the start of the COI proceedings, lawyers representing Persons of Interest raised the same objection that, the COIs could not start to conduct proceedings without rules governing their practice and procedure made by the Rules of Court Committee as provided for by Section 150 of the Constitution. All three Commissioners overruled the objection, and wrongly asserted that they were empowered to make rules regarding the practice and procedure of their respective COI.

Again the party maintained that further to the above, lawyers representing Persons of Interest, filed another application to the Supreme Court, seeking a review of the Commissioners’ rulings as provided for by the Constitution by filing an Originating Notice of Motion dated 28th May, 2019. Again, the compliant Chief Justice with the Executive Arm failed, refused and/or neglected to assign the matter for hearing and determination.

Still justifying its position, the APC said the Commissioners of the COI breached Section 150 of the Constitution and Order 62 rules 1 and 2 of the High Court Rules 2007, which give only the Chief Justice the power to prescribe Practice Directions, issued Practice Directions dated 31st January, 2019, adopting the High Court Rules 2007 in regard proceedings of the COI. This further compounded the unconstitutionality and illegality of the COI and their proceedings.

The APC said in view of the facts narrated above, the party feels compelled to restate that the findings and recommendations in the Government White Paper and COI reports are a product of a process marred by unconstitutionality, illegality, procedural corruption, political vindictiveness and malice.

It was reiterated that the APC rejects and shall support Persons of Interest to challenge the findings and recommendations of the Government White Paper and COI reports politically, diplomatically and legally at both local and international levels.

The APC also pointed out that it shall also assist Persons of Interest to address substantive issues contained in the Government White Paper and COI reports in due course, most of which are, from a cursory look, inaccurate, malicious and borne out of a mis-appreciation of facts and law.

It concluded by stating how an unconstitutional and unaccountable process cannot hold Persons of Interest most of whom are their members accountable. Period!

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