By Mabinty M. Kamara
The usually tranquil atmosphere in Banbaru village in the Penguia chiefdom in Kailahun district was rudely disrupted on Wednesday 17th February 2021 during a parliamentary by-election campaign in Constituency 010.
One Foday Morie, a teenager, was killed on the day of campaigning that was allotted to the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The deceased whose body was found in a nearby bush is alleged to have been a supporter of the Independent candidate, Hengela Ibrahim Sylvester Jusu and that he was beaten to death by rival SLPP supporters who were having a rally on the day of his demise.
Footage Politico has seen shows community people fleeing the violence to safer locations.
The independent candidate told Politico that he was member of the Sierra Leone People’s Party but chose to contest as an independent because he was displeased with the awarding of the symbol which he said went against the party’s constitution.
He explained that the person that got the symbol had left the party in 2018 to vie as an independent candidate. This, he said, meant that she should not have been considered for the awarding of symbol until after three years from the time of leaving the party.
But Jusu said that this was breached and him being locally popular was ignored and Zainab Kama Brima awarded the symbol to run in the by-election under the SLPP.
He said he was recently invited by NEC to take part in a training organized by the National Electoral Commission by the SLPP district chairman who happens to be the DiCOVERC chairman, Morie Feika. When he tried to inquire of their crime, he was told they have violated the COVID regulations for which they were taken to the Kailahun police station but alleged that the medical report issued them were torn by the police and their attackers.
He said four of his men are currently in police custody. He also alleged that four houses were damaged by stones pelted by SLPP supporters.
The Paramount Chief of Penguia Chiefdom, Samuel Sheku Gibrilla expressed dissatisfaction over the situation and has called on NEC, PPRC and other CSOs to ensure that those involved in the killing of the boy are brought to book and also for the aspirants to restrain themselves from any violent activities and ensure a peaceful contest.
“I’m really distressed. The problem is coming from the delegation of the SLPP candidate Madam Zainab Brima. Today is the SLPP day for campaign and I think she has that kind of thugs around her going into the constituency in my own chiefdom firing gun, that is what I have been told,” the Paramount Chief said.
The Police Media and Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Brima Kamara told Politico that the remains of Morie have been brought to the Regional headquarters in Kenema for further investigations. But said all alleged perpetrators are on the run and no arrests have been made so far.
The SLPP district Chairman, Gbessay Jusu Jaka Ngobeh denied all allegations directed against his party, noting that they are by far in majority in the constituency and so would not risk the peace of their people over anything.
He also shifted the blame to the independent candidate and his supporters, who have been causing various havocs in the constituency since the symbol was awarded to madam Zainab on grounds that she was from the North. He said the Independent candidates and his supporters scare away the women with the release of male (Poro) secrete society masquerade.
He said the reports of their violent activities are with the police.
“Their campaign message is that the woman is a Temne and she is from Temne country so they cannot allow another tribe to rule them which is wrong because this is one country. He (Jusu) never even contested for any symbol talk less of it not been given him,” he said.
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