The University of Sierra Leone which consists of Fourah Bay College, IPAM and College of Medicine is set to introduce an online digital platform to run the affairs of its administration. Crest The platform is called the DOT-EDU project, and it is an electronic digital system designed to provide Management of administration in the University of Sierra Leone.

It is delivered via a Web-browser and mobile app to administrative staff, academic faculty, lecturers, students and parents. A third year student of the peace and conflict department Ibrahim Koroma intimated switsalone that students will appreciate this new innovation, as it will help in making registration process simple and fast.
FBC Campus Umu Jalloh lecturer from the social works department expressed delight over the inception of such system at the University. “This system will help improve the University of Sierra Leone to international standards, I feel very happy for such an improvement,” she said. CEO, Mahmud Idriss Speaking to the CEO of Niche Technologies Mahmud Idriss said, his company is a locally based company that is here to digitalise the University of Sierra Leone, and other educational institutions nation wide. “We are here to play a role in improving the educational sector, by modernising and digitalizing the process of education in Sierra Leone. FBC hostel USL is the first institution that was identified to benefit from our services, and we are looking forward to working with other universities, colleges and schools in the country.

This will help improve the standards of education at this age of digital revolution. “It is believed that the system will manage USL’s student admission, student information, course and class management, student attendance, timetable management, exams management and many other services. The CEO revealed that the system is also available to junior and senior secondary schools, that may want to make use of the system. This system is currently on test, and is set to be fully operational by the end of May of this year.

Mrs Patricia Narsu Ndanema ,who happens to be the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, relayed an information to Government that while enjoyment of human rights is the collective responsibility of all, they remain optimistic that Government will be committed to their human rights obligations of respecting, protecting and fulfilling human rights thereby ensuring peaceful co-existence of the citizenry and the nation’s development.
The Chairperson was speaking on Wednesday 17th April, 2019 during the maiden Press conference of the Commissioners of HRCSL where she called on the public that ” the human rights Commission is yours. I hereby announce that our doors are wide open to all to address possible human rights violations (within our jurisdiction) without regard to ethnic, regional, political and other discriminatory considerations. We are here to serve everyone from all communities in the East, South, North, North West and the Western Areas Rural and Urban” she said.

Mrs. Ndanema assured the public that they have a mandate to uphold the HRCSL’s established vision which is for a Sierra Leone where the culture of human rights prevails, the people respect the rule of law and live in peace and dignity.

Explaining some of the strategies they will abduct in order to realise that vision, she mentioned about robust resource mobilization to promote their work at various levels, human rights education for duty bearers thereby taking along all duty bearers that have been charged to serve the people, extensive legal literacy on the local, regional and international human rights laws and obligations, extensive community/public awareness on human rights and to ensure the presence of the Commission in all districts and their environs.

“We also uphold our Mission which is to take the lead role in building the culture of human rights (i.e.respect for individual rights and responsibilities) which maintain the human dignity for all in Sierra Leone in full compliance with the constitution, statutes, international and regional instruments through effective partnership and collaboration” she averred.

She thanked the International partners of HRCSL for their financial and technical support to the Commission over the years. They craved their indulgence for their continued support towards the Commission’s effort in ensuring the enjoyment of human rights by all in the country.

To their local partners including civil society Organizations, the Chairperson renewed collaborative partnership in the protection and promotion of rights and in the education of the public on their responsibilities.

In spite of President Bio having got the Judiciary to declare mandatory life sentence for men found guilty of sexual violence, rape and sexual penetration against minors, the action does not seem to have served as enough deterrence against perpetrators; as almost daily we read in the newspapers reports of acts of sexual crimes against particularly underage girls.
President Bio declared a national emergency over sexual and gender-based violence after recorded cases of rape and assault doubled over the last year, amid public outcry over the issue, triggered by a series of high-profile attacks.
It can be recalled that anger has been mounting over sexual violence against women following a series of high-profile cases, including that of a five-year-old girl left partially paralyzed after an alleged assault by her uncle.
President Bio said attacks on minors – which account for a third of all cases – would be punished with a life sentence, as activists said many assaults are not punished under current laws. Activists said few cases are reported and successfully prosecuted. The recommended sentence for rape – of between five and 15 years’ imprisonment – is often not imposed. Last year, a 56-year-old man who raped a six-year-old girl was sentenced to a year in prison.
More than 8,500 cases were recorded last year – a rise of nearly 4,000 on the figure from the previous year – in a country of 7.5 million people. The factors behind the spike are not yet clear. President Bio also announced the formation of a dedicated police division to investigate reports of sexual violence, as well as a special magistrates’ court that would fast-track cases.
Facts about rape…
There is no typical rapist. People who commit sexual violence come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group. Drugs and alcohol are never the cause of rape or sexual assault. It is the attacker who is committing the crime, not the drugs or alcohol. Stress and depression don’t turn people into rapists or justify sexual violence either.
There are no excuses. Everyone has the legal right to say ‘no’ to sex and to change their mind about having sex at any point of sexual contact; if the other person doesn’t stop, they are committing sexual assault or rape.
Men can control their urges to have sex just as women can; no-one needs to rape someone for sexual satisfaction. Rape is an act of violence and control. It can’t be explained away and there are no excuses.
Most victims and survivors never report to the police. One reason for this is the fear of not being believed. It’s really important we challenge this myth so those who’ve been through sexual violence can get the support and justice they need and deserve.
Only around 10% of rapes are committed by ‘strangers’. Around 90% of rapes are committed by known men, and often by someone who the survivor has previously trusted or even loved. People are raped in their homes, their workplaces and other settings where they previously felt safe. Rapists can be friends, colleagues, clients, neighbours, family members, partners or exes. Risk of rape shouldn’t be used as an excuse to control women’s movements or restrict their rights and freedom.

In an unprecedented evolution and by a Constitutional instrument tabled and passed in Parliament, The Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Desmond Babatunde Edwards has, among other things, established a Special Division of the High Court to try cases charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission expeditiously.

The Anti-Corruption Division within the High Court structure will be exclusively responsible for handling corruption related matters brought before the courts with a view to ensuring that they are handled expeditiously by dedicated judges in a specially equipped court for that purpose.

For now, the Anti-Corruption Court will be located in an isolated part of the Law Courts Building and specifically designed to have its own staff, Registrar and special processes and procedures. Five (5) judges have been assigned to the division: Hon. Justice Reginald Sydney Fynn, Hon. Justice Miatta Maria Samba, Hon. Justice Fatmata Bintu Alhadi, Hon. Justice Cosmotina Jarret and Hon. Justice Simeon Allieu.

One of the persistent criticisms in the fight against corruption has been the delay in the trial of cases brought forward the courts by the ACC. Some cases usually take more than 3 years in court before judgements are passed.

The establishment of the special court for the trial of corruption-related cases is a fulfilment of the President’s promise in the Manifesto and in Parliament, and a major deliverable for the Francis Ben Kaifala-led ACC and the judiciary. Once operational, cases will now move faster and will be better organised; and will further assure the people of Sierra Leone that ACC can secure justice for them within a very limited time frame.
Additionally, significant progress has been made so far with the Anti-Corruption Amendment Act 2019 that was tabled in Parliament (both the first and second readings of the Bill have been completed and committed to the legislative Committee for final consideration). The Act will strengthen the powers of the ACC and ensure greater efficiency in carrying out its mandate. The ACC is determinedly optimistic that these strategic and necessary adjustments, once fully operational, will strengthen the fight against corruption and set the country on a firm trajectory for corruption control within the shortest possible time.

As the Old Bo Boys Association (OBBA) celebrated 2019 turns 90 and the Bo School held their 113th anniversary celebration the Honourable Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Friday 19th April, 2019 was inducted as its newest member. The Vice President was inducted at the usual Speech Day and Prize Giving ceremony on Friday which marks the beginning of the OBBA annual celebrations with admission number 16228.
Vice President Jalloh in his acceptance speech felt very honoured to be adopted as a member of OBBA, describing the event as one of the finest in his lifetime. He maintained that OBBA celebration is always refreshing on Bo School campus, especially in Bo city which is considered as the center of gravity for “PAOPARISM.”
Dr. Jalloh said that the triple celebrations of OBBA, Bo School and the New Direction one year in Governance are relevant to the celebration of scholarship. He defines scholarship as an art of going to school. The Vice President explained that celebrating knowledge is necessary in order for society to function in a modern days. He added that celebrating character that defines leadership is very critical to shape our nation, the country and the future of mankind.
The OBBA at 90 celebrations was taking place at a unique time in the history of Sierra Leone under the New Direction Government which place emphasis on education, and has rolled out the Free Quality Education, the Hon. Vice President highlighted.
He informed the gathering on the payment of school fees for pupils in primary and secondary schools, and the provision of teaching and learning materials to over two million pupils in Sierra Leone. The Free Quality Education by the Government, according to Dr. Jalloh, is because the Government believes in human capital development which is critical to the future of Sierra Leone.
“Bo School like any other school will not be left out of the Free Quality Education Package of the New Direction,” the Vice President assured.
He reminded the pupils of the Bo School of being in a Great School, and expressed his like for the school motto “Manners Maketh Man.” He encouraged the pupils not to be in school only to acquire technical knowledge that will help them function in a modern society, but to acquire character as well. He cautioned the pupils to develop the right mannerism from school days. Dr. Jalloh promised to contribute hugely to the school and OBBA.

On Thursday 18th April, 2019 in Wuzhen, China the Board Chairperson of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) Tuma Adama Jabbi was overwhelmingly voted Vice Chairperson of the highest Council of the Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Mechanism, RITACOM.
Specializing in tax laws, Tuma Jabbi who happens to represent the NRA at the BRITACOF defeated other competent tax administrations in countries like Afghanistan, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, Georgia, Senegal and a host of others.
The BRITACOM is the most broadly represented tax cooperation mechanism in the world and exists to facilitate tax administration corporation in tax service, resolve tax disputes, enhance tax capacity building, promote sharing of experiences and best practices in tax administration with the aim of building a growth friendly tax environment among BRITACOM countries to which Sierra Leone is a founding member.
In her new role as Vice Chair, Tuma Adama Jabbi will among other things provide assistance in the day to day running of the BRITACOM Secretariat based in Beijing, China, support policy formulation and supervise the training arm of BRITACOM, which is dedicated to conducting tax related training, research and technical assistance programs to member countries. As a result of this milestone, the NRA stands to benefit from various training of its staff in the organization’s institute in China and other places.
Tuma Adama Jabbi specializes in tax Laws and hold a Masters of Law Degree (LLM) in corporate and business law from the University of Central England in Birmingham and a certificate and diploma in same, a Bachelor of Law Degree from the Montfort University in Leicester, United Kingdom and a host of others.
Upon completion of her Master Degree, Ms. Jabbi worked as an Administrative Officer at the Department of Works and Pension in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Sierra Leone in 2009 to do her Bar. She was called to the Sierra Leone Bar in 2010.
Besides successfully managing the Law Firm, Jabbi Associates, established by her father, Dr. Bu-Buakei Jabbi, Ms. Jabbi has earned a reputation as a strong-willed, tenacious litigator, who does not flinch at the prospect of controversial, convoluted or complex legal battles, especially in a male dominated profession.
Within a very short span of practice, Ms. Jabbi built a robust corporate practice with a wide range of high profile clients that include credible institutions. Her resilience and determination to excel, coupled with her warm disposition and polite candour, has not only gained her the respect of her seniors but has also won her the admiration of her juniors who look up to her as their role model. Ms. Jabbi’s sense of discipline and dedication to her work stems from her genuine love for the legal practice and firm belief in the rule of law and access to justice.
She has actively demonstrated this passion through engaging in varying teaching exercises including conducting and participating in public lectures and seminars at various levels such as the West African Bankers’ Association (WABA) and holding a permanent lecturing position at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where she lectures on Tax and Revenue Law, a subject which she introduced in the Department of Law to broaden the law modules offered by law students.
Ms. Jabbi has served as a Council Member of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services Council. She was also part of the sub-committee of the Council for the drafting of the Correctional Services Rules.
As a human rights activist, Ms. Jabbi has actively advocated for the reformation of the law regarding Bail and Sentencing: engaging in trainings organised by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute. Ms. Jabbi demonstrates high level of qualification and professionalism in every sphere of her life.
With integrity, steadfastness and hard work being her core values, Ms. Jabbi serves as an inspiration to all young, female Sierra Leoneans.

Wars have been fought for various reasons around the world but it has been recorded that some of the internecine, bloody and protected conflicts that have been going on for many years are bordered on both fanatically religious reason and for gaining political hegemony.
Young people have been brainwashed and recruited to tout guns, fire bombs, kill brutally with the feeling and impression that they are indeed really doing the right thing despite the fact that lives are being consumed, properties destroyed and development stalled. It has been established that in most of these cases there are powerful and influential backers who have been pumping huge financial resources to purchase arms and ammunition as well as gingering up the morale of the combatants. The Hezbollah party in Southern Beirut, Lebanon is no exception. This armed group is been financed by powerful financiers not only from Lebanon but from other parts of the world including Africa, Sierra Leone not excluded.
In an effort to exert financial pressure on Hezbollah’s global network, the US Government is offering $10 million for information on three of its financiers: Mohammed Bazzy, Adham Tabaja and Ali Charara.
This announcement was made from Washington recently as three senior officials, Assistant Secretary for State for Diplomatic Security Michael Evanoff, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing Marshall Billingslea, and Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Nathan Sales briefed journalists.
The officials said that the three men are part of Hezbollah’s financial “modus operandi”, and operate on four continents running construction and infrastructure companies that help finance the Lebanese armed party and offer “a diverse stream of funding.” The intention of the reward is to obtain information that leads to these three men, and a “transnational paper trail that implicates companies” funding Hezbollah.
“These are not the only financiers that we know,” Mr Billingslea said. Asked if the US is planning to go after the three men’s companies that fund the Shia political party, he said that currently the country is seeking “information on documents that take to Hezbollah.”
Mr Billingslea added that the US is not intending to go after the Shia community in Lebanon. “We are focused on Hezbollah, not on Shia community,” he said.
Mr. Sales said it was vital to protect Lebanese financial and banking sector, but noted that “any conversation about Hezbollah must begin in Tehran.” He warned that Hezbollah is applying lessons it learned in Syria in sponsoring and training militants elsewhere in the region “such as Bahrain.” The US official said that the party’s reach is wider than previously reported, saying it spans as far as places like Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Peru. “There is no such thing as a political wing of Hezbollah,” he said, adding that US sanctions were hurting the group.
The US “rewards for justice” statement estimated that Hezbollah “earns almost one billion dollars annually through direct financial support from Iran, international businesses and investments, donor networks, corruption, and money laundering activities.”
The statement identified Adham Husayn Tabaja as a Lebanese citizen born in 1967 in Kfartebnit. His passport number is RL1294089 (Lebanon) and the US called him “a Hezbollah member who maintains direct ties to senior Hezbollah organisational elements, including the terrorist group’s operational component, Islamic Jihad. Tabaja also holds properties in Lebanon on behalf of the group.”
As far as Mr. Tabaja’s businesses are concerned. “He is majority owner of the Lebanon-based real estate development and construction firm Al-Inmaa Group for Tourism Works”, the US Government said. He also owns Tabaja, Al-Inmaa Group for Tourism Works, and its subsidiaries were designated by Washington in 2015. Saudi Arabia has also designated Mr. Tabaja and his companies.
The second subject, Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzy, is identified as “a key Hezbollah financier, who has provided millions of dollars” to the group. The statement said that Mr Bazzi owns or controls Global Trading Group NV, Euro African Group LTD, Africa Middle East Investment Holding SAL, Premier Investment Group SAL Offshore, and Car Escort Services S.A.L. Off Shore. The US designated Mr Bazzy and his affiliated companies in May 2018.
Mr. Bazzy officially holds the Lebanese and Belgian passport, but he also has at least five other passports for countries including the UK, Sierra Leone and Gambia, according to the documents.
The last member targeted is Ali Youssef Charara, identified as “a key financier for Hezbollah as well as Chairman and General Manager of Lebanon-based telecommunications company Spectrum Investment Group Holding SAL.”
The officials singled out Iraq as one area where Hezbollah financial activities have sprouted and where Mr. Tabaja operates.
According to investigation Ibrahim Bazzy is a very sly and shrewd business man who operates clandestinely though he has businesses he runs as legitimate entities. He is so influential to such an extent that he has bulldozed his way in various political administrations that have took over the rein of governance in Sierra Leone allegedly dishing out mouth-watering bribe to public officials who most time leave him off the hook and give him the leeway to always get what he wants. Said to be very slippery as a fish, he has a network of other Lebanese nationals who share his ideology and are very loyal to him ready at any time to execute his commands and wishes.
While innocent children, mothers are dying as a result of the Hezbollah activities individuals like Ibrahim Bazzy, Adham Tabaja and Ali Charara are sponsoring terrorism with impunity.