News

By Francis H. Murray

One Sulaiman Gibateh has been sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment after he was found guilty of two counts of sexual penetration and sexual touching against a 15-year old girl.

Delivering his judgment on Monday 15th March 2021, Justice Momoh Jah Stevens said that the evidence adduced before the court indicated that the incident took place in January 2019 and that the victim told the court that the accused took her to his house because he was a close friend of her father.

By Politico staff writer

The Catholic Mission in Sierra Leone has cancelled this year’s Lenten Pilgrimage saying it wants to comply with COVID-19 prevention and control measures. In a statement issued last weekend, the Mission noted that “The COVID-19 situation in the country, especially in the Western Area does not favor a very large gathering like our Lenten pilgrimage which attracts huge crowds each year. It would be difficult if not impossible to observe faithfully the NACOVERC protocols especially social distancing’’.

By Saio Marrah

The Leader of the opposition All People’s Congress Party (APC) in parliament, Chernor Maju Bah has expressed concern over the safety of commuters on the country’s road network. He said the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority appears unable to minimize the many road accidents taking place in the country.

By Alpha Abu

President Julius Maada Bio has said Sierra Leone has so far fought a good fight against the coronavirus pandemic by initiating measures which have won the country international accolades.

Speaking during the symbolic vaccination rolling out ceremony at the State House lawn on Monday 15 March 2021 for both the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca anti-COVID vaccines, the President as the first person to be vaccinated within the country said experts have proven the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

By Alpha Abu

National Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Students Loan Committee, Paul Amara, has updated journalists in Freetown on steps they have taken to kick start the new scheme this year to help citizens pursue higher education.

He said those who benefit from the government support to undertake undergraduate and post-graduate studies in different courses would pay back after graduation based on a simple plan they had worked on to take effect anytime the graduate beneficiaries were employed.

BY Prince J Musa in Kenema.

Ahead of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party’s (SLPP) Lower level election, violence has ensued over party card issuance leaving the Kenema district party secretary-general, Sama Vandi Sama hospitalized.

 The victim said he was beaten by some party hooligans on the 12^th March 2021 at the party district office in Kenema.

By Prince J Musa in Kenema

Workers of Mott Mac Donald Schools Support Program who have been working with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) schools across the country have accused the organization of defrauding them since 2017.

 The aggrieved workers told Politico that Mott Mac Donald hired them as school support officers by signing a contract as sub consultants for “leh wi lan project” since 2017 and that instead of serving as consultants, they have worked as employees.