By Bampia James Bundu
The Supreme Court has levied a Le 3 million fine on the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party after it was sued by one of its members, Alie Bangura, who lost in the election won by Chief Somano Kapen as party chairman and leader.
Bangura alleges that the election was rigged and unfair, hence his decision to go to court. The winners of the election have denied any wrongdoing accusing Bangura and his supporters of being sore losers.
The fine followed a motion moved by the defence lawyers who had challenged the Supreme Court eligibility to hear the matter, claiming it was not properly before the court, procedurally, and questioning the jurisdiction of the highest court in the land over the matter, and urged that the matter be thrown out.
In his judgment on the defendants’ application, Justice Valisius Thomas said the court had jurisdiction over the matter, adding “the case will go on”. He levied the fine “based on the effort of the applicant lawyers in presenting their case”, and ordered that there be no delay in paying the fine, despite pleas from defendant lawyer Bu-Buakei Jabbie for a reduction in the amount because “the matter is a family matter and should be treated as such”.
Out of the courtroom, lawyer Jabbie informed the press that they would soon start preparing for their defence which, he said, they would submit within the next 10 days.
Meanwhile, the matter in the high court between the controversial House Minority Leader, Dr. Bernadett Lahai and the SLPP has been adjourned to Wednesday, 25 June for a ruling.
(C) Politico 19/06/14
