Home Blog Page 633

Cowbell Supports Freetown Africell Marathon

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the brands marketed by Premium Divine Trading Company Limited, a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor Holdings, a leading distributor of quality food products in Sierra Leone, Cowbell has supported the Freetown Africell Marathon, an initiative of the Africell Impact Foundation in partnership with the Sierra Leone Athletics Association and Street Child Sierra Leone. The support is aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Thousands of Sierra Leoneans from diverse backgrounds showed up to participate.

The event was kicked off by  Africell’s CEO, Shadi Gerjawi, the British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney and the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki- Sawyer.

It was an electric, fun, and highly competitive affair in all three categories- 5 KM, 10 KM, and 21 KM (Half Marathon). The female half marathon had a storybook ending with the first and second positions respectively won by twins, Theresa S. Kargbo and her sister Jane Kargbo as the runner-up.

At the end of the Marathon, the Media Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, John Konteh facilitated the presentation of certificates and prizes to the tune of hundreds of thousands of New Leones (Hundreds of Millions in Old Leones) to the top three lucky winners in each category with hamper and cartoons of assorted Cowbell products for the 1st positions in all of the categories and cartoons of assorted Cowbell products for the 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up in all of the categories.

Premium Divine Trading Company Limited’s partnership with Africell for the 1st Freetown Africell Marathon, was to enable the company continue on its massive education on healthy eating habits by availing their products to actual and potential consumers, the Cowbell nutritious package to enable them and their families to enjoy good nutrition through the consumption of assorted Cowbell products and Miksi Chocolate Drink that was also sampled during the event. The move by the company was seen as a laudable venture in the expressive appreciation of its valuable, actual and potential customers.

Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, the Country Manager of Premium Divine Trading Limited, Kenneth Konuah, said that Premium Divine Trading Limited deemed it fit to support Africell’s 1st Freetown Africell Marathon as part of their Educational campaigns on the essence of milk consumption in the country and to support healthy living.

He said that  Premium Divine is a quality food company and they are committed to ensuring that everybody enjoys good food and that the company has been embarking on supporting various activities in the country in order for the company to continue on its massive education on healthy eating habits in the country.

Kenneth Konuah stated that Cowbell products come in 14g sachet, 20g sachet, 360g sachet and 400g tins for the milk.  Also, cowbell food drinks package sizes are 40gs for the Coffee, Strawberry, Coconut, Choco-Malt and Cowbell Mocha. They are all produced in Ghana by Promasidor Ghana Limited for export sales to some West African countries including Sierra Leone.

He used the opportunity to inform all that the Company also distributes and markets, Onga, Miksi Chocolate and coffee drinks, Kremela, and Yumvita, the latter being an infant cereal with milk also containing wheat, rice, and maize.

The Country Manager stated that as a company they can guarantee the availability of quality food products for consumption by everyone with Cowbell products.

He concluded by appealing to all to always buy the quality food products of Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd especially Cowbell milk because it is enriched with all the necessary nutrients needed for growth in the family.

 

 

Baptist Convention Donates to Looking Town & Ascension Town Flood Victims

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As a way of alleviating their plights, the Baptist Global Response in the United States of America has on Thursday 8th December 2022 donated assorted items worth millions of Leones to affected victims of the Looking Town and Ascension Town August 2022 flood as most of their properties were gutted down by the flooding. The donation took place at Kingtom in Freetown.

The donated items included fairly used clothes, cooking utensils, plastic buckets, mattresses, bundles of zinc, cartoons of nails, etc.

Giving a background of the donation, the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone, Executive President & Head of Mission, Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah, stated that the vision of the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone is a union of committed churches and institutions empowered by the Holy Spirit for sustainable holistic ministry in Sierra Leone and beyond.

He intimated that as a responsible ministry that seeks the welfare of all regardless of tribe, race, ethnicity, religion they saw it befitting to make the donation out of the strong conviction that such could be helpful especially when the fire disaster destroyed properties and left thousands deprived.

Rev. Dr. Joseph S. Fornah informed the gathering that the donation that is meant to help victims cope with the stress they are going through and to rebuild their lives will further drive home the love of Christ which the church wants to demonstrate to those affected victims and show them that as a church they stand together in their trying times.

He maintained that the victims were devastated due to the unfortunate incident that befell them as the  flooding left the victims not only homeless but also vulnerable as they lost all their properties including beddings, cooking utensils, clothing, cash and other valuable household properties.

He ended by expressing appreciation to the Baptist Global Response in the United States of America for supporting the donation process and further admonished beneficiaries to make good use of the donated items in order to support themselves and their families.

Isatu Kamara, one of the beneficiaries, commended the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone for donating the relief items, which she said, are very important in terms of cushioning the negative impacts of the flooding on them as victims.

She disclosed that during the flooding they lost everything as they are currently challenged, furthering that with the donation received such will greatly help in supporting them and their families.

Yusuf Conteh, another victim, also expressed appreciation to the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone for the kind donation.

He underscored that things are not really easy for them at the moment, maintaining that after the flooding many families have been going through hard times but said with the assorted items donated to them such will help them and their families slowly rebuild their lives.

He called on other organizations to follow the footprint of the Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone towards supporting victims.

 

 

Bombali District Council Hands Over Markets & EU-Funded Infrastructures to Communities

Bombali District Council Hands Over Markets & EU-Funded Infrastructures to Communities

By Foday Moriba Conteh

At a well-attended ceremony held on Thursday 8th December 2022 at Bombali District Council in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone,  the Bombali District Council, in the presence of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, officially handed over new market stalls and other facilities to serve the critical needs of farmers, petty traders and the communities to support the socio-economic development of  Panlap and Makama communities in Bombali District.

The European Union provided funds for the newly constructed market stalls to support the district’s critical infrastructure needs and will benefit approximately two thousand people, particularly women and farmers who depend on small agri-businesses for their livelihoods. This investment will significantly provide security for their businesses, improve sanitation and safety, increase the incomes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and smallholder farmers, and boost the revenue generation capacity of the district council.

The handing-over ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Tamba Lamina, the Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Dr. Robert Chakanda, Chairman of Bombali District Council, John Shangai Koroma, Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone, Gerald Hatler, Government officials, development partners, traditional and local authorities and women and youth groups, including hundreds of beneficiaries.

The development of markets is one of the EU-funded investments in Bombali District that is part of the Support to Civil Society and Local Authorities for local development in Sierra Leone. Other EU contributions towards the economic and social development of Bombali District include the construction of a cattle paddock, a university campus student hostel, water facilities and the rehabilitation of feeder roads, culverts and bridges, in line with the District Development Plan.

Before the construction of the facilities, traders in these communities used to sell their products in temporary makeshift structures along the highway, posing severe risks to the health and safety of traders and motorists. The new infrastructure will increase accessibility to market trading and promote economic opportunities for local traders, who are primarily women.

This focus greatly supports the national development agenda of the Government of Sierra Leone and the EU’s goal of economic and gender equality. The market facilities will also protect produce and other perishable goods from inclement weather. Furthermore, the facilities will generate revenue to support the Bombali District Council in support of decentralization and the provision of critical social services to the local population.

The District Council also celebrated the handing over of water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) facilities built by Inter Aide. The EU-funded WASH facilities will greatly boost the quality and quantity of water available and improve basic sanitation for the community.

Through this programme, the EU has funded the construction of additional market facilities in Falaba, Kambia, Karene, Kenema, and Pujehun District. The market projects are just one example of the EU’s support to developing Sierra Leone’s infrastructure to enhance effective service delivery by district councils, promote local development and support decentralization efforts.

 

 

BLOOM BANK REBRANDING PRESS RELEASE

BLOOM BANK REBRANDING PRESS RELEASE

FREETOWN, DECEMBER 8, 2022

KEYSTONE BANK SIERRA LEONE REBRANDS TO BLOOM BANK AFRICA

Keystone Bank Sierra Leone has from today December 8, 2022, rebranded to Bloom Bank Africa (BBA), with a firm promise of bringing prosperity to Sierra Leoneans through its new and exciting brand of customized banking solutions.

The transition to the new brand identity comes after the bank underwent a transformation upon its acquisition by Oakwood Green Africa, and is line with the bank’s new direction of building a resilient, technology savvy and Pan-African bank well positioned to meet the financial needs of its customers.

Represented by the lotus flower – a resilient species that thrives and blooms all year round despite the weather, the bank’s logo also features three vibrant yet symbolic colours; blue, green and orange, all representing strong pillars of excellence, warmth, passion and dexterity.

MD/CEO of the bank, Mr. Ndubuisi Ejiofor reiterated the bank’s new identity in line with it’s vision during the official unveiling of the new brand: “We are driven by a passion to help our people thrive, and to make great things happen for them. We aim to be the conduit for capital into and through Africa for development, creating value for business, big or small, and empowering Sierra Leoneans and Sierra Leonean businesses to achieve more, and thrive. We are dedicated to providing sound financial advice and support to SME’s and to keep these indigenous businesses, which are the oil that moves the nation running always.”

The unveiling of the new brand identity, according to Mr. Ejiofor, is the first phase of the rebranding process, promising more exciting events and activities for the next phases.

Denis Kamara’s Harrowing Story of Escaping Tradition to Freedom in Sierra Leone

Denis Kamara
Denis Kamara

By Francess Wright

In a harrowing revelation, it has come to light that numerous young boys and girls in Sierra Leone are being forcibly initiated into secret societies under the guise of preserving tradition and customs. These initiation ceremonies, particularly those conducted by the notorious Poro and Bondo societies, are not only traumatic but also deadly, with many young victims losing their lives in the process.

Despite the clandestine nature of these rituals, which often take place in secluded rural areas, a few tragic cases have surfaced, exposing the gruesome practices involved. Law enforcement remains largely unaware of these deaths due to the secretive locations, but on rare occasions when these cases come to light, those responsible face legal consequences.

A recent investigation by our reporter Alvin Lansana uncovered the disturbing ordeal of Denis Kamara, a young man whose life was irrevocably changed by the Poro Society. Denis’s father held the significant title of “Gbanabom” within the society, a role his uncles insisted Denis should inherit after his father’s death. Despite being initiated at a young age, Denis vehemently opposed further initiation into the society.

Our reporter said he was informed by residents of the community where the incident took place that tension escalated during Denis’ grandmother’s burial in December 2022, when his uncles demanded his initiation shortly after his 18th birthday in January 2023.

He continued that he learnt how Denis’s plans to escape the initiation were betrayed by a trusted friend, leading to a brutal confrontation on the night of his birthday and he was forcibly taken to the Poro society bush where he was subjected to painful rituals involving cuts with a razor blade and a hot knife.

Our reporter said he was intimated by residents that Denis managed to escape his captors, running through the night until he reached a highway. Denis Kamara

They stated that they believe he was rescued despite his bloodied and disheveled appearance.  All of them, whom our reporter interviewed said Denis’s whereabouts remain unknown, with the Poro Society reportedly vowing to sacrifice him if found.

It must be noted that in this human interest story, the tragic plight of Denis Kamara underscores the severe human rights violations occurring under the pretext of tradition. These practices not only infringe on the victims’ fundamental rights but also pose a significant threat to their lives. It is imperative for rights-based organizations in Sierra Leone to intensify their advocacy against such harmful traditions, ensuring that young people no longer suffer in silence or fall victim to these brutal practices.

The police, although aware of these tragic events, remain largely powerless to intervene, often citing the cultural significance of these societies. Disturbingly, some law enforcement officers are even members of these secret societies, further complicating efforts to combat these inhumane practices.

The call for action is clear: the continuation of such gruesome initiation ceremonies must be halted to protect the lives and rights of Sierra Leone’s youth. Rights organizations and the broader community must rally together to expose and end these deadly traditions, ensuring a safer future for all.

Sheku Sylvester Bangura been threatened and Intimidated for choosing Christianity over Primitive Secrete Societies

Sheku Sylvester Bangura.jpg
Sheku Sylvester Bangura

By Karifa Kello Thoronka

Secret societies would lose their reason for existence if secrecy were ever entirely abandoned, whiles Christianity deals with an open secret, which is the Holy Bible. Sheku Sylvester Bangura a young Sierra Leonean swimmer has been threaten and intimidated for choosing Christianity over primitive Secrete societies in Sierra Leone.

The situation that Sheku found himself in was a nightmare, as being the head of secret society one has to have many wives, as tradition demands the male child of the family must replace the Father as the head of Poro secret society, which Sheku Sylvester Bangura has denied because of Christianity.

Speaking with one of the close family member of Sheku Sylvester Bangura who spent time affiliated with a secret society, he revealed that the secret society has been one of the most negative aspects of his life as he regretted why he was initiated. Whiles narrating the story of Sheku Sylvester Bangura he noted by saying that Sheku was asked by his Uncles to replace his late Father even before he travel to represent the Country on Swimming Competition in Austria.

A close friend of Sheku, who refused for his name to be mentioned, noted that his friend Sheku is trauma and he never wants to return to his home Country as the society members are searching for him across the Country to fulfil his traditional rites, as his father is no more.

Nevertheless, secret societies with political interest have cropped up periodically in Sierra Leone that politicians and the police see it as a no go area whenever intimidation and harassments reports given by someone concerning the secret societies in the Country.

Until press time the way about of Sheku Sylvester Bangura is yet to be confirm by his family, whiles the society members are still searching for him.

NP (SL) Limited Embarks on Thorough Face Lift of its Kissy Terminal

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP-Sierra Leone Limited has embarked on a thorough face-lifting of its main Terminal situated alongside, one the coastal areas of Kissy, a growing community that is located in the East End of Freetown. The ongoing face lift includes positioning   one of the newly calibrated digitized storage tanks with maximum safe filing capacity.

From what this medium learnt, it is the conviction of Management of the company that customer satisfaction could be enhanced to an optimum level through digitalization of storage facilities and Gantries.

Indeed, this latest move on the part of the company is just another confirmation of the importance that Management of the company places on the giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous customers across the country , ensuring that it explores possible avenues through which petroleum products could be secured with the main aim of averting any form of scarcity that will negatively impinge other walks of life or activities that may lead to panic buying and the disruption of normalcy.

Incontestably, NP-Sierra Leone Limited is currently one of the most reliable sources of inspiration for intending entrepreneurs or investors aspiring to establish business entities that they wish to see grow exponentially and become a towering entity in Sierra Leone.

There are many valuable lessons that could be derived from the Company in order to realize a very successfully independent business entity. To start with, the success story of the NP (SL) Ltd could inspire new entrepreneurs and definitely serve as a roadmap to navigate the business landscape in order to actualize business dreams into tangible realities independently.

The Company was founded way back in 1977 when British Petroleum acquired the shares of AGIP and operated until June 1984 and the then Government of Sierra Leone acquired 60% shares from British Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited. Towards the end of 1984, British Petroleum Sierra Leone Ltd. divested its remaining 40% equity to the Precious Mineral and Mining Company.

In 1996, the company was privatized in which Government sold 55% of its 60% equity to Leone Oil with the remaining 5% to its staff.

In February 2011, in efforts to rejuvenate and reinvigorate the company, the Sierra Leone National Company was rebranded and therefore changed its name to NP (SL) Limited.

Ever since, the Company has been a privately owned indigenous business entity; no Government, past or present has hands or influence in its operations.

Further, NP (SL) Ltd ensures that lucrative business initiatives are well implemented to the letter leading to the realization of fruitful outputs. With up to 133 regional dealer distribution outlets, the Company operates on a firm drive anchored on result oriented initiatives intended to achieve positive business outcomes.

Also, with the devoted objective of providing optimum satisfaction, the Company’s belief is centered on excellent service delivery geared towards accomplishing customer satisfaction through customer care, and from all indications, NP (SL) Ltd has incredibly excelled in this drive. Management teams have exhibited this so well to an extent that the Company has succeeded in broadening its customer base. As far as NP (SL) Ltd is concerned, the interest of customers is absolutely paramount.

In due regard, Management and Stakeholders have made prudent efforts like, introducing Ultra-modern calibrated pumping machines capable of dispensing the right quantity of fuel that a buyer requests while displaying the price, also the NP Smart Card which allows cashless fuel purchase with ease avoiding the hassle of having to rush to the banks to withdraw monies for fuel purchase purposes, and the  NP Gas which comes in different cylinder sizes with comfort, environmentally friendly and in very affordable prices. NP Gas has been certified as good for cooking purposes and the gas that is used to refill it could be secured at NP Filling Stations.

Encompassed with all these attractive offers and more and championed solely by exclusively 100% Sierra Leoneans, NP (SL) Ltd has secured its enviable position in the Oil industry in Sierra Leone and in the Wes African sub-region by not only ensuring endless supply of petroleum products, but also providing valuable lessons that are worth emulating by aspiring entrepreneurs and potential investors.

 

New Securitized Passports for President Bio & Vice while 109 African Diasporians Become Citizens

President Julius Maada Bio and Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on the 5th December, 2022 received the first copies of the new securitized national passports from the Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai and confer Sierra Leonean citizenship on 109 African Diasporans.

The new national passport is an upgraded electronic version of the previous one with special security features to avert potential forgery and cloning of the country’s passport.

Minister of Internal Affairs, David Panda-Noah, told the President, “I feel elated to be here as part of the continuation of the process leading to the provision of affordable securitized passports for the citizens of Sierra Leone. This passport merit International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognition”.

He added that as part of the President’s directives to transform the immigration system, they had engaged the E-passport contractor to upgrade the existing passport to include special securitized features.

“I am proud to inform you that the new national passport meets all ICAO and other international standards. The chip embedded in the passport makes it electronically readable and could be used at any E-gate,” he noted.

While conferring the citizenships status, President Julius Maada Bio congratulated them as they subscribed to the oath of allegiance and described the event as one that had been the climax of a historic journey after months and years of searching for their ancestral roots.

“As a people, we have always opened our hands and offered smiles to our brothers and sisters making this momentous journey back home, whether from the forced migration of slavery or a voluntary movement that we collectively call the Africa Diaspora.

“Sadly, the history of slavery has always been etched on our minds because our brothers and sisters were captured and sold from the early 16th century to the late 18th century. Our country was at the heart of that history too. In 1675, Bunce Island Slave Fortress, a major enslavement and exportation hub in the Sierra Leone Rivers, was used for the transportation of enslaved Africans in their thousands. In 1787, the colony of Freetown was declared a settlement for freed slaves. Hence, the first set of free men and women, referred to as the black poor, were sent to Freetown,” the President informed.

The President stated that he believes the future of Sierra Leone could not be defined by the agonizing history of slavery, adding that that was why his Government was implementing the most audacious human capital development programme that could support over two million children with free quality education nationwide.

“We have abolished the 55-year-old criminal libel law and now guaranteed journalists the freedom to hold the Government accountable. We abolished the death penalty and enacted the historic Gender Equality and Empowerment Act, among others.

“This is the new Sierra Leone. We want to build a progressive, educated, and investor-friendly nation, but as we continue this new journey, we also know that our nation’s sustained development needs the genuine collaboration of her Diasporians. Therefore, over the years, we have been heartened by the homecoming of hundreds from the Sierra Leonean African Diaspora. Some have not just subscribed to the oath, collected passports, and returned, but they are already making a difference in many communities”.

He closed by encouraging them to be good ambassadors in rebranding and promoting Sierra Leone, urging them to optimize the Sierra Leone diaspora resources for the benefit of the nation by exploring trade and investment opportunities, bringing their experience and knowledge to bear on the development trajectory of the country and make Sierra Leone a sustainable travel destination for the African Diaspora.

 

 

Sierra Leone Signs $25 Billion Gas Pipeline Project between Nigeria-Morocco

Sierra Leone is set to benefit from a gas pipeline project worth over $25 billion, which when completed, will allow the country to enjoy gas supplies at a cheaper cost. The $25 billion project, which will be constructed over six phases over the next 25 years, will connect Nigeria’s immense gas supply to Europe through over six countries along Africa’s West Coast.

This is expected to reduce the high cost of gas, alleviate poverty in the region, promote socio-economic development, and mitigate desertification through sustainable and reliable gas supply and a reduction in carbon emissions.

The $25 billion worth project took another step forward in Rabat with the signing of agreements with five countries, including Sierra Leone through whose waters the line would be installed.

The ultimate aim of the 7,000-kilometre-Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project will send gas from Nigeria – whose resources stand at about 200 trillion cubic feet – to Europe in order to make up for a shortfall in the Russian supplies.

This agreement came at a crucial time when the global deficiency in the supply of oil and gas, especially to African nations, due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, leaving many countries, including the West handicap for want of much-needed petroleum products.

Sierra Leone was represented by the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, H.E. Atumanni Dainkeh and a senior management team from Sierra Leone consisting of the Director of Finance, Zainu Deen Karim, and Senior Legal Counsel, Michelle Eddinia Swallow. The delegation signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Monday 5th December 2022 in Rabat Morocco, on the gas pipeline project linking Nigeria to Morocco, which will supply gas to West Africa and Europe.

This MOU shows President Julius Maada Bio’s willingness and commitment to salvaging the scarce and high cost of petroleum products in the world and to also contribute to the success of this project.

The $25 billion African gas pipeline scheme would provide energy to approximately 340 million people, while reducing gas burning.

According to the head of Nigeria’s NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, Europe and African countries along the pipeline route stands to gain alot from the project, reaffirming that other benefits includes the creation of wealth and improvement in the standard of living of their citizenry, increased cooperation between the respective countries, while mitigating desertification and other benefits to be derived from reduction in carbon emissions.

The pipeline’s capacity is expected to be about 3 billion cubic feet per day.

 

 

Legal Aid Board Represents 152 accused persons in Special Sessions in seven Locations

In the November Criminal Sessions and Special Criminal Sessions of the High Court in seven locations across the country: Pujehun in Pujehun District; Magburaka in Tonkolili District; Mafanta Correctional Center in Tonkolili District; Mongo in Falaba District; Mattru Jong in Bonthe District; Kambia in Kambia District and Freetown in the Western Urban District, the Legal Aid Board provided representation to 152 of the 177 accused persons arraigned.

Among the 177 accused persons whose matters were called at the sessions, seventeen were absent and eight were represented in the Freetown Sessions by private counsels.

The accused persons were arraigned on multiple charges ranging from conspiracy to defraud to murder, larceny in a dwelling house, wounding with intent, robbery, robbery with aggravation, assault with intent to rob, shop breaking and larceny, larceny from a person, fraudulent conversion and sexual penetration.

Among the 152 accused persons represented by the Legal Aid Counsels, 65 were tried in Freetown; 18 in Pujehun; 22 in Magburaka; 21 in Mafanta; 4 in Mongo; 16 in Mattru Jong and 6 in Kambia. 31 of the 152 accused persons/inmates were released at the sessions: 27 were discharged, 2 were acquitted and discharged and 2 were cautioned and discharged. Apart from those freed, the Board also secured bail for seven – five in the Freetown sessions and two in Mongo. All the accused persons in the provinces were represented by Legal Aid Counsels.

Nine of the 31 accused persons were released following an application for a judicial review of 21 matters by Honourable Justice Monfred Sesay. Others released include 14 in the Magburaka sessions; 3 in Pujehun, 2 in Mattru Jong, 2 in Kambia and 1 in Freetown. Memunatu Kamara was discharged on murder charges for want of prosecution in the Kambia Sessions.

Those released from the Mafanta Correctional Center sessions were given clothing and fare by the Legal Aid Board in response to an on appeal from the judge.

The Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles thanked the Government for providing the funds for the sessions. She also thanked His Lordship the Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Justices who presided over the various Sessions and Legal Aid Counsels for the hard work.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles warned those released “not to take the magnanimity of the court for granted”, adding that “they must not involve into anything that will undermine the peace”.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles warned those released “not to misuse the free legal representation by Legal Aid Counsels and reoffend”, adding that “they must not involve into anything that will undermine the peace”. She noted that the “Board is challenged with limited staff especially lawyers and will be constrained to provide representation to repeated offenders.”

The accused persons arraigned in Freetown were represented by Legal Aid Counsels: Cecilia Tucker; Morrison Karimu; Ibrahim Bangura; Randy .S Bangura; Ibrahim Samba; Harold Momoh; Cyril Taylor-Younge and Fatmata June-Mackery.

Those in the provinces were represented by Legal Aid Counsels: Mohamed Korie; Ibrahim Samba; John Jack Harris; Osman B. Kamara and A.K Jawara.

1...632633634...1,369Page 633 of 1,369