News

By Mohamed Ayoub Conteh

People across the country have expressed concern over the emergence of swarms of beetles known as the Nairobi Fly.

The insects, which are commonly called ‘’champion’’ here in Sierra Leone, have reportedly invaded homes and caused discomfort to many people. They carry a chemical called pederin and when slapped on someone’s skin could release corrosive chemical. Acidic in nature, the chemical causes a burning sensation that leaves the affected part of the human body with blisters.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

In an effort to ensure Civil Society’s effective participation in the Kimberly Process-Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (KP-ASM), the German international development agency, GIZ, has hosted a day long regional civil society engagement, designed to build the capacities of the participants on the process.

The purpose of the engagement, according to officials, was for the SCOs across the Mano River Union to strategize and plan ahead of the coming year.

By Kemo Cham

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma finally availed himself for questioning by agents of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday, ending months of stalemate that had mounted political tension in the country.

The ACC said late Monday that its agents "interview" the former president at one of its “secured safe houses", although it didn't disclose the location.

By Saio Marrah

The fate of over 300 Sierra Leoneans enrolled with the Africa Graduate University (AGU-SL) is on the balance, after the institution was ordered to shut down due to lack of accreditation.

The Africa Graduate University is a global educational institution which was first established in 2012 in Uganda and has since spread to several countries, according to a website affiliated with the institution.

By Saio Marrah

The Parliament of Sierra Leone is set to summon the Minister of Basic and Senior School Education (MBSSE), Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, to explain the mass failure in the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSE) 2020.

Suggestions by lawmakers for to demand for an explanation from Dr. Sengeh came after a Member of Parliament noted that no candidate in the entire Kono District had a university entry requirement.

By Abass Jalloh

The indefinite industrial action by the Academic Staff Association of the University of Sierra Leone (ASA-USL) has left many students dispirited over the impact on the second semester examinations.

The strike came after the association in a press statement on November 18 expressed dissatisfaction over the failure of the Government to adhere to the 100% salary adjustment in the 2021 budget as agreed.

By Francis H. Murray

State defendants in the Court of Appeal matter between convicted former defence Minister Alfred Paolo Conteh and the State have objected to the appeal being heard on grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

Addressing a three member panel of judges: Ansumana Ivan Sesay, Bintu Aladi and Tonia Barnet on Tuesday 25^th November State counsel Joseph A. K Sesay said the appellant in filing the notice of appeal, failed to comply with the relevant procedure in seeking leave of the court to hear the matter.