News

By Francis H. Murray

Justice Momoh Jah Stevens has sentenced 45 year-old Frederick Davies to 15 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of sexually penetrating the 15 year-old daughter of his girlfriend and getting her pregnant.

In his ruling on Wednesday 17th February 2021, Justice Stevens said having examined the evidence, it was established that all the accused told the police was nothing but a lie to cover-up his “bad deed”, adding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

By Francis H. Murray

Majority of Sierra Leoneans want their country to finance its own development even if it means they have to pay more in taxes, a latest Afrobarometer survey has shown.

“A majority (61%) of Sierra Leoneans want the country to finance its development from its own resources, even if it means they have to pay more taxes (including 40% who “agree very strongly” with this approach). Only about a quarter (24%) prefer the use of loans from foreign countries and institutions to develop the country,” the survey noted.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

In the latest diplomatic move to ensure peaceful co-existence with the neighboring republic of Guinea, President Julius Maada Bio and President Alpha Conde have signed a communiqué agreeing, among other things to re-open their common border and resume full cooperation in other areas.

By Saio Marrah

Parliament has summoned the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Director of National Mineral Agency to explain the pollution and contamination of the Taia River.

The House also agreed to set up a special select committee that will include members from the committees on Mines and Mineral Resources, Environment, Defence and Water Resources to conduct hearing on reasons behind the contamination  of the said river, which is said to have  caused so much damage in Bonthe District.

The West Africa Monetary Zone (WAMZ) has for the third time reelected Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance,  Jacob Jusu Saffa to serve as Chairman of the Convergence Council of Finance Ministers and Governors of Central Banks.

Reports say he was re-elected during the 45th meeting of the Convergence Council held virtually on 16 February 2021 to deliberate on the status of the macroeconomic convergence and policy harmonization issues under the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme.

By Mabinty M. Kamara 

The Iron Ore Mining Company, SL Mining has hailed a judgment by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) as a victory for the company in its legal battles with the government of Sierra Leone over the cancellation of its operational license in Marampa, northern Sierra Leone.

Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, has officially received the first consignment of some 20,000 pre-paid meters meant for the Bo-Kenema electricity project from the Shenzhen Clou Company responsible for the provision of meters for the project.

The Minister and his team according to reports from the Ministry’s Communication Unit, were received and welcomed by the Resident Minister South, Mohamed Alie, who said he was pleased to receive the delegation in Bo.