By Mohamed T. Massaquoi
Police chief in Pujehun has confirmed that he ordered the arrest of Chiefdom Speaker of Malen, Robert Moigua “because he violated bye-laws related to safe burials which are now in force all over the country.”
The Local Unit Commander, Chief Superintendent Nathaniel Brewah, said security personnel found a corpse being prepared for burial at the residence of the local authority.
He said the district health management was informed about the incident while the chiefdom speaker was ordered to turn himself over to the police station in Pujehun town on Friday 31October.
The police boss said the Speaker failed to show up as promised and “even when my officers went to his place, they were told that he was away but he continued to be in touch with us by phone,” adding that it was at that point that he ordered the Speaker's arrest.
He explained that in the early hours of Tuesday 4 November, “my officers went to his place to arrest him. We encountered resistance particularly from a man called Mohamed Kallon, who challenged my men saying they cannot arrest a Chiefdom Speaker.”
The LUC said “we eventually arrested the Speaker and those who obstructed our work and brought them to the station in Pujehun town. We obtained statements from them. The Chiefdom Speaker was released on bail after the intervention of local authorities, including Paramount Chief Brima VS Kebbie.”
He stated that: “as far as possible I want to continue working with all local authorities in the fight against Ebola. I have issued a caution to the Chiefdom Speaker which should serve as a warning to everybody that the fight to end Ebola cannot be undermined.”
He added that: “in general, the bye-laws are being respected. If not for people sneaking into the district from other areas, there would be no Ebola cases here...in fact there's been no new cases for several days now.” He said congregational worship, which was banned, had resumed but local trade fairs, locally called “Lumor”, were still banned.
© Politico 07/11/14
