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FIFA and CAF Presidents to Visit Sierra Leone Tomorrow

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sources close to the football association in Sierra Leone intimated to this medium that the President of FIFA Gianni Infantino and the President of CAF Dr. Patrice Motsepe, will on Wednesday 5th May 2021, pay a one-day visit to Sierra Leone upon the invitation of the Sierra Leone Football Association’s President, Madam Isha Johansen.

Both Presidents look forward to meeting the Head of State His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio and an interactive session with the Sierra Leone football federation family.

Upon accepting the invitation, President Infantino remarked that, “It will be a unique opportunity to share our vision of football and the ways to further develop our game in your country and promote its values”.

The visit of both Presidents will be a landmark event in the history of Sierra Leone Football.

On International Workers Day… Employers Federation President Calls for Review of Sierra Leone Labour Laws

President of the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation (SLEF), Kobi Walker

By Amin Kef Sesay

In commemoration of International Workers Day, the President of the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation (SLEF), Kobi Walker, on 1st May, 2021, spoke on the significance of reviewing Sierra Leone’s Labour Laws in a bid to improve workers welfare in line with international law and best practices. He made this remarks during his statement at the commemoration of International Workers Day at Family Kingdom, Aberdeen in Freetown.

He expressed appreciation to God for keeping them alive to see this remarkable day, adding that unfortunately, some of their colleagues are amongst the over 3.1 million citizens globally, who have died as a result of the COVID-19 virus, and others are amongst the over 150 million people worldwide who have been infected by the virus and are either quarantined or in specially designated COVID-19 hospitals or treatment centers.

Kobi Walker stated that last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were unable to celebrate International Workers Day, adding that last year, they also lost, on the 23rd April 2020, Mr. Jennings A D Wright, President of the Sierra Leone Labor Congress, and used the opportunity, on behalf of the Federation and all Employers, to appreciate the commitment and contribution of the late trade unionist in ensuring Industrial peace in the country.

He informed all that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Covid-19 and the future of Work in Sierra Leone”, which he said is a relevant and appropriate theme, as employers and employees all over the world have ushered in the “new normal” way of working.

He pointed out that in April 2020, the Federation and the Sierra Leone Labor Congress issued a joint statement on the “COVID-19 outbreak in Sierra Leone and how as a nation they can collectively respond’’ the statement included measures to support the health sector, workers, businesses and the hard hit sectors amongst others, and that a copy of the statement was sent to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for onward transmission to the Government.

The President of the Federation maintained that they are gratified that the Government received numerous accolades from world leaders and global health watchers on Government’s laudable efforts to contain the dreaded Covid-19 virus, adding that they are also grateful to Government for incorporating some of their recommendations in the Joint Statement referred to above in their response package (some of these include, assistance to the tourism sector, availability of foreign currencies from the Central Bank, stimulus packages, redundancies prevention measures etc. )

“It is instructive to mention that, though the Covid-19 pandemic has been contained, most businesses have incorporated this concept in their business model, leading to enormous reduction of overheads, including office space rentals, running cost of operating an office and other costs associated with running a business from the office. Another cost saving legacy is the concept of virtual training .This has significantly reduced the cost of training, as quality training is now available at affordable cost or at no cost, all designed to upscale skills sets and human capital development within and across organizations and businesses” he maintained.

In conclusion Kobi Walker revealed that the Federation will be initiating discussions with their social partners (Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress) as to how they can ensure that they position themselves to appropriate tools needed as they usher in the new normal as well as inculcate in the mindset of their fellow employers and employees that there is now a paradigm shift in their ways of working going forward.

On his part, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone, said that Sierra Leoneans should be mindful of updating labour laws, even though there is need to update the laws, adding that labour laws, when updated, should serve as an incentive to create more jobs rather than stopping employment.

The Honourable Vice President stated that Government takes into consideration the creation of equitable environment for the employers who provide the jobs. He furthered that the interest of employers should be taken into consideration to ensure that industries and companies do not close down after updating the laws. Updating labour laws should be linked to enhancing job creation and not job loss, Dr. Jalloh stated.

Vice President Jalloh expressed delight for the 2021 workers’ day celebration theme, which states “COVID-19 and the Future of Work in Sierra Leone”. He informed the participants about the elaboration of a program called the Quick Economic Response Program to manage CoVID-19 after President Bio had announced the first index corona case.

Vice President Jalloh maintained that the economy of Sierra Leone is viable to enable the creation of jobs, payment of salaries, and support to healthcare services. But Dr. Jalloh informed the gathering about the government losing 1.5 trillion Leones in revenue in the year 2020 alone. He stated that such an amount would have been used on essential development programs.

Government, Vice President Jalloh said, has the responsibility to create the enabling environment for job creation, adding that government is making serious efforts to ensure Sierra Leone becomes an investment competitive country. Dr. Jalloh therefore informed the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and Sierra Leone Employers Federation and others present at the ceremony about the establishment of the National Investment Board. The Board is set up to look at obstacles to competitive investment in Sierra Leone, stressing that with competitive investment; people will be encouraged to do business in Sierra Leone.

Choithram Hospital Introduces Fibre Optic Bronchoscope Machine

By Amin Kef Sesay

Choithram Memorial Hospital, situated at Hill Station, West End of Freetown, is well known for providing highly specialized medical services to people from different backgrounds. Since it started operations years back, Management of the hospital has been working assiduously to ensure that the medical facility is brought up to international standards.

It is against this background that the Choithram hospital has, for the first time in the country, introduced Fibre Optic Bronchoscope Machine, which is used for examining the lungs, the Bronco tree, especially in relation to foreign bodies and things that might affect the chest and lungs.

When this medium caught up with Dr. John A. Songo-Williams, consultant surgeon at the Choithram Memorial Hospital, in order to know about the Fibre Optic Bronchoscope Machine that has been installed at the hospital and what does this mean for the health sector in the country, he was quick to intimate that the Fibre Optic Bronchoscope Machine has definitely given a face lift to the health sector in the country.

He underscored that Management of the hospital decided to embark on these latest developments in order to ensure that the hospital is put on a sound footing, like any other hospital in a developed country. “We are very much passionate about offering the best in terms of qualitative medical treatments with the main objective to save lives,” he stated.

Dr. John A. Songo-Williams revealed that the Fibre Optic Bronchoscope is a diagnostic examination of the major air passages to the lungs, and that this procedure enables the physician to examine the inside of the main windpipe (trachea) and other major air passages, (bronchi) and that it is a safe diagnostic procedure that carries little risk to the patient.

He added that these are instruments that are flexible and can be used into all the areas in the lungs, which helps the Doctors to take a good look and if necessary, take some biopsy of lesions, adding that sometimes they have to clear some paths from the lungs, and this machine therefore comes in quite handy.

The consultant surgeon added that the instrument consists of the scope, fiber optic bioscope with a provision for suction and for the injection of fluids into the lungs as the case may be.

He disclosed that the hospital used the Fibre Optic Bronchoscope Machine to remove a foreign body from the right main bronchus of a nine month old baby, which was done free of cost.

Dr. John A. Songo-Williams said that this is a big impact to, not only the Choithram hospital, but the country as a whole, adding that before now they had only rigid instruments which they were using to investigate these things, and these rigid instruments don’t negotiate the curves and the corners inside the lungs.

He maintained that before this time, when the hospital did not have such facility, patients have to travel to countries like Ghana, Nigeria or wherever they can, to access such facilities or its equivalent to handle such situation.

Orange SL Donates Food Items to Inn-Muziki Mosque & Masjid-Nabawia

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their continuous support in extending love to the people of Sierra Leone, especially Muslims, during the month of Ramadan, Orange SL Mobile Company, on Friday 30 April 2021, donated food items worth millions of Leones to Inn-Muziki Mosque and Masjid-Nabawia respectively. The said donation was done at the respective mosques at Hill Station in Freetown.

The assorted food items that were donated to both mosques included 15 bags of rice, 5 gallons of cooking oil,5 bags Onion, 5 bags milk, 5 bags sugar, 5 cartons of tin tomatoes and 3 cartons of Maggie. These mosques received the same set of food items.

Donating the food items on behalf of the company, the Cooperate Social Responsibility Manager, Kamal Abass, said that this is not the first time their company has done such donation, noting that it is part of the company’s Corporates Social Responsibility and a way of showing love to their Muslim brothers and sisters during the month of Ramadan.

He added that the donation is a way of sharing love and thanking Allah for the successes of the company. Kamal Abass furthered that fasting is one of the major pillars of Islam.

Receiving the items on behalf of Inn-Muziki Mosque, the Chief Imam Alhaji C.M Jalloh, applauded Orange for their continuous support, adding that the company has always remembered their mosque during the month of Ramadan with such huge donation.
He described the donation as timely, noting that they had an existing relationship with Orange SL and had been benefiting a lot since the arrival of the CEO, Madam Aminata Kane Ndiaye.

He disclosed further that this is not the first time they have received such donation from Orange, adding that during the early period of Covid-19, when people were not allowed to go to worship centers, Orange did the same. He expressed appreciation to the CEO for being part of the presentation, and further prayed for God’s continuous blessing in the life of all the staff and the company.

One of the Imam of Masjid-Nabawia, Abdul Latiff Bangura, also expressed thanks and appreciation to Orange SL for their timely intervention, adding that he is not surprise to receive such a donation. He said the company had shown love, not only to the mosque, but to Allah also, noting that the donation is exactly what the almighty God wants for his people.

According to him, the donation came at the right time when they were thinking on how to prepare for the “Lalatugadri”, and further thanked the company on behalf of the entire Jama for remembering their mosque among others.

World Press Freedom Day… SLAJ President Urges Parliamentarians to Scrutinize the Cyber Bill 

By Amin Kef Sesay

In observing World Press Freedom Day on Monday 3rd May, 2021, the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, urged and appealed to the elected representatives of the people in the Parliament of Sierra Leone to scrutinize the cybercrime bill and take onboard their concerns (and those from expert groups) in the same spirit and manner they collectively pursued and achieved the repeal of Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965, and the passing of the IMC Act 2020.

He said that “30 years ago, a group of journalists, including our own Paul Kamara from Sierra Leone, met in Namibia to adopt the Windhoek Declaration for the development of a free, independent and pluralistic press,” adding that SLAJ therefore joined the rest of the world and UNESCO to celebrate 30yrs of the Windhoek Declaration, as it gives them an opportunity to reflect where they have come from, where they are now and where they want to go with regards freedom of speech and of the press, and it further reminds them of their responsibilities as journalists, and the obligations of Governments to guarantee these fundamental rights that are crucial to the development of the country’s democracy.

He maintained that for Sierra Leone, and SLAJ specifically, for the first time in 50 years they are commemorating World Press Freedom Day without having to call on the Government to scrap the infamous Criminal and Seditious Libel Law contained in Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965.

He noted that Freedom of expression is the fundamental human right upon which all other freedoms (association, assembly and peaceful protest) depend, and so they want to thank His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, his Government and the Parliament of Sierra Leone for this brave accomplishment.

He said to start the celebration of this landmark victory, SLAJ is opening a Book of Reflection on the demise of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law, where victims will share their experiences with the anti-free speech legislation, stating that later on in the course of the year, SLAJ will premiere a documentary showing the long walk to freedom; and they are also working to install a commemorative structure to Free Speech and Free Media.

“Let me reiterate what I said following the repeal of the criminal libel law that whilst we have been given more freedom to do our work, we must know that such freedom goes with immense responsibility. So we must not give any reason to those who were opposed to the repeal to say we told you not to repeal. This is not to say, however, that as journalists, we must not investigate and expose corruption in high places; or we must not hold public officials and our government to account. What we are saying is for us to do all of this, but in a responsible manner and strictly following the codes that define our profession” he maintained.

On the Cybercrime Bill, Nasralla said SLAJ has made its position clear on the Cybercrime Bill 2020 that it is not against a legislation that seeks to protect and promote responsible use of the cyber space, which is becoming increasingly a dangerous threat to our individual and collective security, peace and stability, but that in its current draft form, it is not a good law for our country.

He pointed out that in their position statement, which is on behalf of the entire media fraternity in the country, including the IMC, RAIC and MRCG, and which they have submitted to the Ministry of Information and Communications and the leadership of Parliament, they raised serious concerns relating to provisions and sections in the bill that have the potential to undermine the gains we have made as a country in the area of freedom of expression and of the press, and people’s privacy rights.

On the Safety and security of journalists he said a recent study on the State of Safety of Journalists Policies and Practices Among Media Houses in the country conducted by the MFWA and MRCG, with support from the Dutch Foreign Ministry (through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana) show that majority of the media houses studied lacked safety and security, and gender policies, furthering that Journalists in the line of duty expose themselves to dangers when covering riots or demonstrations, and most popular perpetrators of violations against journalists are police officers, military personnel, politicians, civil servants, and community stakeholders/people.

So while the criminal libel law is gone, harassment and intimidation of journalists are now taking different forms.

He stated that “SLAJ is concerned about this and we will discuss these issues, including the recommendations of the study, at our coming AGM to brainstorm on workable approaches to ensure the safety and security of all journalists, and to promote gender mainstreaming in the media.

“We want to look at the future role of the media and verified information. In 10 years’ time, the role of the media in providing accurate information, exposing corruption, holding public officials and governments to account, educating and raising awareness, etc. will not change much. What will change is the demand for greater responsibility of the media in combating fake news, hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, all of which have culminated into a raging media virus called infodemic” he maintained.

He concluded by urging the Government and politicians to make a bold commitment to never again pass any law that will criminalize free speech, and urged every journalist to aspire to be a true and patriotic professional.

In response to their Appeal… Caritas and Tzu Chi Foundation Continues Hot Meal Feeding Program at Susan’s Bay

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In respond to the requests of Susan’s Bay Fire Victims for a continuation of the hot meal feeding program, which was an emergency response effort to residents of the community, which should have ended on Friday 30th April 2021, Caritas Freetown and Tzu Chi Foundation have agreed to continue the program.

Speaking to this medium, the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, who also happens to be a member of the Partnering to Serve Humanity consortium, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, noted that on Thursday 29th April, 2021 they received a high-powered delegation of over 29 individuals in their office on Savage Street, demanding to see the Management of Caritas Freetown. Unfortunately, they were out of the office, but they spoke with the other staff who were around and got himself and the Programs Manager on the phone, during which they expressed appreciation to Caritas and partners for the work they have been doing and pleaded for the continuation of the hot meal feeding program.

He added that after this appeal, Caritas Freetown reached out to its partners; fortunately they received approval of support from Tzu Chi Foundation to provide the condiments for the next 12 days till the end of Ramadan, and the rice from CRS and Missionary Friends Society.

Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, also used the opportunity to inform all that Caritas Freetown, with support from their partners, instituted the emergency response efforts at the Susan’s Bay Community as a true compassionate support to the victims of the fire disaster, which, he said, was made possible with the huge support from Tzu Chi Foundation under the Partnering to Serve Humanity, comprising the Healey International Relief Foundation, Tzu Chi Foundation, LANYI Foundation and Caritas Freetown. He furthered that 29 days of hot meal feeding was made possible and additionally, they also got support from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Freetown to cover 15 days of breakfast for the victims, and also received further support from the Catholic Relief Services to cover 5 days of breakfast and also 5 days of hot meals.

He expressed appreciation to all the organizations that have been supporting Caritas Freetown in making this a success.

Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh said that as an organization, they are ready to serve humanity, but said they were challenged in terms of continuing the hot feeding program, however, with the support from their partners the hot meal feeding program will continue till the end of the Ramadan.

On her part, one of the Councilors of the Susan’s Bay Community, Madinatu Kamara, also expressed gratitude to Caritas Freetown, Tzu Chi Foundation and other partners for the continuation of the hot meal feeding program.

She noted that since the implementation of the emergency response at the Susan’s Bay community, this has contributed immensely towards the wellbeing of the victims, especially children, whom she said find it very difficult to access food. The methodology of coming with the condiments to the community and involving the victims in the cooking process was therapeutic.

Councilor Madinatu Kamara maintained that she is happy about the continuation of the hot meal feeding program till the end of Ramadan, adding that her constituents had expressed the view that they are already traumatized because the breakfast program was ended and they are trying to come to terms with that before they heard of the stopping of the hot meal feeding program, but said with the continuation of the feeding program, it will leverage the negative impact of the fire disaster in her constituents.

Aminata Kamara, who also happens to be a beneficiary, expressed appreciation to Caritas Freetown and Partners for the hot meal feeding program, which she said has supported them and their families during such a critical moment of their lives.

she maintained that they were already frustrated when they received the news that the hot meal feeding program would have stopped on the 30th April, 2021, adding that the hot meal feeding program has supported them greatly and if Caritas Freetown would have ended this feeding program, it would have negatively affected them and their children.

Ramzain Suma and DOFA Feed the Aged at Dwarzark

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemoration of her birthday, a Sierra Leonean US Army personnel and TV host, Ramzain Suma, in collaboration with Dorwontony Organization For the Aged (DoFA), on Sunday 2nd April, 2021, fed hundreds of Aged within the Dwarzark community. The ceremony took place at the Dwarzark in Freetown.

The gesture is in celebration of Ramzain Suma’s birthday, which she dedicated to the Aged.

Present at the ceremony were: the President Artist for Peace, who is also a renowned musician, Cee Jay Mark and Sleeze, together with one of the music promoters in Sierra Leone Diamond and a popular comedian, Sanah.

In her address, the Sierra Leonean US Army personnel and TV host, Ramzain Suma, commended DOFA for their support and care for the aged, and expressed appreciation to Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) for their strides in supporting the aged in the country.

She noted that as somebody who has passion for the Aged, she thought it fit to dish out the aforementioned donation to the aged on behalf of herself, in commemorating her birthday, adding that she decided to do so with the strong conviction that such would be helpful to the recipients, especially at this decisive moment in the country, when we are battling with COVID-19.

On her part, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorwontony Organization For the Aged (DOFA), Doreen Barrie, expressed gratitude to Ramzain Suma for the kind gesture, describing it as not only welcoming, but very timely.

She noted that one of the most sensitive stages in the life of any person is old age, and that at that stage everything becomes quite delicate, and individuals tend to become more dependent on other people for survival, even against their own wishes, furthering that care, support and comfort are very essential factors elderly people need for survival and to live healthy life styles.

Doreen said it was against such a backdrop that DOFA was founded, with the objective to serve as the voice for the needs and rights of the aged across the country, She called on every “Sierra Leonean to join the moving train in looking after the Aged,” maintaining that old age is gold.

She called on the Government, the private sector and non-governmental organizations to support them in order to secure a Home for these vulnerable people, some of whom are homeless, adding that the aged are very important people in society and should not be neglected.

Fatmata Kamara, a beneficiary, expressed gratitude to Ramzain Suma and Dorwontony Organization for the Aged for the gesture, adding that such support will be helpful to them as old people in the country.

She called on other organizations to follow the footprints of both Organizations in supporting the aged with food and other basic necessities, with the thought that they too are very important in society and should be cared for.

Over 1.4 Million Children to Get FREE Polio Vaccination

By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, Health Education Officer-HED/MoHS

Ministry of Health and Sanitation, in collaboration with its partners, will embark on a 2 rounds of reactive National Polio Vaccination campaign in May and June, targeting over 1.4 million children between 0-5 years of age. Round 1 will take place on Saturday 15th – Tuesday 18th May and round 2 is scheduled for Friday 11th – Monday 14th June this year. The campaign is a lifesaving intervention to protect children from poliomyelitis/polio virus, thereby reducing morbidity and death in children.

The strategy of the campaign is house-to-house, in which teams of health workers will go to households to vaccinate eligible children between 0-5 years to protect them against polio. It is advisable for caregivers/mothers to endeavor to search for the teams in their communities, in the event that their houses might have been missed or not visited. They can as well go to the nearest health facility for their child to receive the much needed FREE polio vaccine.

It could be recalled that in December 2020, the country recorded confirmed cases of polio in Kambia, Tonkolili and Western Area Urban, which paved the way for increased case search and investigations, both in the affected districts and beyond.

This occurred at the wake of Africa being certified as polio free in August, 2020. The virus emerged again because children were left unimmunized, putting them at risk of the virus, so there is now need for vaccination to stop the spread of the disease in communities among unimmunized children.

If a child is not protected and catches the virus, he/she will have permanent paralysis (die han en die fut). The only way to prevent polio is through vaccination with 2 drops of polio vaccines, which can be given at different intervals during the child’s early life development, plus booster during campaigns.

Polio vaccines are also given to children under 2 years of age in the routine immunization system in all Government health facilities across the country.

Polio is a disease caused by polio virus. It usually spreads through contaminated food and unclean water. Children up to 5 years of age need to be protected from this disease. The younger the child is, the higher the risk of getting polio. A child with polio can have fever, tiredness, headache, vomiting, and weakness or paralysis in the arms and legs.

It can cause ‘die han en fut hand’ and can also lead to death in rare circumstances. Any child under 15 years old who was crawling or walking and who suddenly no longer crawls or walks could have been infected with polio. This can be confirmed with additional tests, because there are other conditions that present similar manner. Polio can limit the growth and development of the child. The more polio vaccine the child receives, the more the child is protected from getting polio virus. TAKE ACTION NOW!!

Parliament Ratifies Two Trade Agreements

By Esther Wright

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 29th April, 2021, debated and ratified trading agreements aimed at improving the socio-economic fabrics of the country.

The following trading agreements were ratified by Parliament: Agreement between Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and MACCEM Industries (SL) Limited, Dated December 2020 and the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Dura Plast and Ferro Fabric Sierra Leone Limited, Dated January 2021.

Presenting the Agreements prior to ratification, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, said the two agreements are in line with the policies embedded in the New Direction manifesto with a view of improving the trading sector. He said the cementing production plant would be investing $10 Million, cut down on the total amount of imported cement, and boosts the economy through job creation. He also spoke about the establishment of a recycling industry in the country and its attendant benefits.

Contributing to the motion, Chairperson for the Committee on Trade, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay appreciated both agreements and spoke about their potential contributions towards the development of the country, such as job creation and revenue mobilization by Government.

Hon. Abubakarr Fofanah called on the Minister to ensure the interests of the citizens are protected.

Leader of C4C, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, described both agreements as “non-controversial” and that they would cut down on unemployment and underemployment in the country. He spoke well of the idea of having a cement production plant, which would account against monopoly. However, he expressed fears on adequate energy to support production. He said, “in dealing with cement production, you need massive energy supply”.

Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said the best way to improve the economy is by the establishment of manufacturing companies to boost the economy. Calling on others to follow suit, he said over 2000 Sierra Leoneans stand to gain employment opportunities from these companies.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor Bah said, “our position in the last sitting remains the same, and we will not say anything regarding these agreements”.

Concluding, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, said the Government is bent on changing the narratives of investment patterns in the country and commended the two agreements on manufacturing. He said trading concessions would be given to Dura Plast and Ferro Fabric for its establishment in rural communities and as stipulated in the Finance Act of 2021. He exemplified the importance of both agreements regarding benefits aimed at improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the people of Sierra Leone.

4 in ACC Net for Racketeering at Njala University

By Edward Vamboi

Acting on intelligence, the Scorpion squad of the Anti-Corruption Commission carried out a sting operation on Tuesday, 20th April 2021, and on Thursday 29th April, 2021 arrested 4 persons who were involved in a scheme orchestrated by one Abdul Karim Turay AKA Abdul Melvin Jalloh, who claimed to be the son of Muniru Jalloh, Lecturer and Registrar at Njala University.

According to preliminary investigation, it was established that the claim was false; as Mr. Brima S. Turay (also a Lecturer at Njala University) not Muniru Jalloh, is the biological father of the suspect.

Abdul Karim Turay (who students know as “Jalloh”, because of his false claims of being the son of the Registrar of the University) was reported to be collecting money from Students of Njala University and other persons on the pretext that he would get them admitted into the University; or assist promote already-admitted students to the next year of their course. He was using one Sulaiman Bangura as laison between him and the students to collect monies and basically orchestrate the entire deal. Both were lodged and have been coordinating the criminal academic fraud racket called “Binding”  (for lecturers to be paid to give undeserved grades to students), at Fears Hotel, 28 Lahai Street, Nikibu Section, off Mattru Road, New London, Bo.

The Intel further confirmed that students visited them and paid between Five Hundred Thousand Leones (Le 500,000) to Four Million Leones (Le 4,000,000) — depending on the service sought from them.

The Scorpions had already processed a sum of Four Hundred Thousand Leones (Le 400,000), which was handed over to one of the Students at Njala University to use to make payment to Sulaiman Bangura for the said service offered by Abdul Karim Turay, the self-proclaimed son of Muniru Jalloh.

Striking with precision, the Scorpion squad were able to identify the processed money as part of the over Five million Leones and various documents of Njala University Students that were found in the possession of the racketeers in their room during the sting operation.

Sulaiman Bangura was arrested and is currently detained, helping the ACC with investigation. Four other individuals (including two students and two teachers) were also arrested as part of this criminal syndicate.

The public can recall that the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., recently delivered a public lecture at Njala University, Torwama Campus, Bo, where he challenged the students to help him clamp down on the many reported acts of examination malpractices and academic fraud at the University; by presenting cogent information on acts of academic fraud, but also warned them against making frivolous claims.

This sting operation, which follows just a few days after the lecture, is to ensure that words are matched by action by the Commissioner and his team.

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