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  Edwin Uwa Ogbonna, a Nigerian national, recently appeared before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Pademba Road Court No.1 in Freetown to face a series of grave charges. The ten counts against Ogbonna include kidnapping, possession of prohibited drugs, dealing in prohibited drugs, and using prohibited substances without lawful authority.  According to the particulars of the case, on August 20, 2024, at Alusine Street, New Road, Juba Hill in the Western Area of Freetown, Ogbonna is alleged to have kidnapped Monsuru Abayomi Balogun. In addition, Ogbonna was found in possession of various illegal drugs, including loose cocaine, one sachet of Kush, and one sachet of cannabis sativa. Further accusations claim that Ogbonna was dealing in these prohibited substances, including Kush, cannabis sativa, and cocaine, all without lawful authority.  When the charges were read to Ogbonna, he made no plea. His defense counsel, Zachariah Azibo Kanu, requested bail, arguing that despite not ...

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) has officially announced that all candidates verified for the November 2024 Private West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) should now proceed with their registration on the West African Examination Council (WAEC) online portal. This applies to candidates who have been provided with PINs and serial numbers. According to the Ministry, the portal reopened on Tuesday, 17th September 2024, at 12:00 PM and will remain accessible until Thursday, 19th September 2024, at 12:00 Midnight. MBSSE has urged all eligible candidates, school heads, and parents to ensure that the registration process is completed within this timeframe to avoid any inconveniences. The Ministry also highlighted the involvement of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) and the Council of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) in ensuring that all schools comply with this directive. Both bodies have been instructed to work closely with schoo...

In a shocking and deeply disturbing development from Bo City, Sierra Leone, a father has been exposed attempting to sell his own son to a ritualist for a staggering sum of 150 million old Leones (NLe150,000). The horrifying incident was captured in a secret video that has since been widely shared by Gleaner Newspaper, sparking outrage across the country. The video shows the man, who had not informed his wife, engaging in negotiations with an individual claiming to represent powerful superiors, said to have provided the funds for the grim transaction. The man's callous actions have left many questioning his motives and the level of desperation that could drive such behavior. Though the exact date and location of the recording remain unknown, the revelation has set social media alight with fury, highlighting the urgent need for stronger community vigilance and intervention to combat the increasing prevalence of dangerous and unethical practices such as ritualism.  As the footage cont...

The Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone is currently under scrutiny for its inability to account for 238 vehicles within its fleet. This alarming revelation was made by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which discovered that the ministry lacks an asset register, leading to significant concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public assets. According to the audit, officials from the Ministry of Health failed to comply with multiple requests for vehicle inspection. Of the 286 vehicles registered in the Western Area, 238 were not presented for physical verification. Furthermore, it was revealed that many of these vehicles were neither licensed nor insured, a clear violation of Section 11.1 of the 2020 Government Vehicle and Fleet Policy. In response, the auditors recommended that the ministry’s Transport Officer be held accountable for the missing vehicles and emphasized the urgent need for all government vehicles to be licensed and insured. Mohamed Ishmael Ku...

During the government’s weekly press conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Abdel Aziz Bawoh, confirmed the continuation of Sierra Leone’s Constitutional Review process. He revealed that the 134 recommendations from the Justice Edmond Cowan report will be meticulously compiled and submitted to Parliament for approval. Bawoh emphasized that the process will involve the full participation of all political parties in the country, ensuring a collaborative and inclusive approach. In a related development, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has updated political party leaders on the status of the Constitutional Review at a meeting held at the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). Deputy Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, explained that this review is not a new effort but a continuation, incorporating the reports from Dr. Peter Tucker and Justice Edmond Cowan, as well as the 2017 and 2021 government whitepapers on the Constitutional Re...

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), with support from the Government of Sierra Leone and international partners including Irish Aid, the European Union, and the World Bank, has officially handed over newly built primary schools to the communities of Gbesseh in Galliness Chiefdom and Kpombu in Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District. These state-of-the-art facilities are a significant milestone under the Free Education Project Secretariat (FEPS). Each of the Community Primary Schools is equipped with six classrooms and an administrative block, which includes a headteacher's office, a staff room, and a library. The construction of these schools aims to provide children in remote areas with a conducive learning environment and ensure they have access to quality education as part of the government's Free Quality School Education initiative. At the handover ceremony, Mr. Alimamy Kamara, Deputy Director of MBSSE, underscored the vital role of education in community...

  On Friday, September 13, 2024, a historic agreement was signed for the construction of a modern mini stadium in Tihun Sogbini Chiefdom, Bonthe District, marking a pivotal step towards advancing sports infrastructure in rural Sierra Leone. The signing ceremony took place at the residence of Paramount Chief Prince Lansana Bio and saw the presence of top dignitaries in the sports development sector. Key attendees included Madam Augusta James-Teima, Minister of Sports, Mr. Jusu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Momodu Alpha, Senior Sports Development Officer, and several Section Chiefs of the chiefdom. This mini stadium project is viewed as a significant investment in youth development and community cohesion. It aims to offer local athletes a platform to showcase their talents while encouraging active participation in sports. In her speech, Minister Augusta James-Teima highlighted the transformative power of sports, stating its potential as a tool for youth empowerm...

Tragedy struck today in Freetown as a four-story building at Shell New Road collapsed, trapping numerous people beneath the rubble. The building, which housed both residential apartments and shops, crumbled unexpectedly, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.  Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud crash moments before the structure gave way, leaving many occupants and shopkeepers inside with no chance to escape. Local community members have rushed to the scene, using makeshift tools to try and rescue those trapped under the debris. Despite their efforts, the situation remains dire, and concerns are growing over the fate of those buried under the rubble. Emergency response teams from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Freetown City Council have yet to arrive, heightening fears that the delay could lead to further casualties. The cause of the collapse is still unknown, and there has been no official statement from authorities. The condition of those trapped ...

  The Government of Sierra Leone has officially declared Monday, September 16, 2024, as a public holiday in observance of Moulid-Un-Nabi, the celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. According to an official notice, the religious feast will be observed on Sunday, September 15, 2024. In recognition of the significance of this event, the government has designated the following day as a nationwide public holiday to allow for extended observance and reflection. Moulid-Un-Nabi is a profoundly important occasion for the Muslim community, marked by prayers, sermons, and communal gatherings dedicated to honoring the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. The holiday serves as an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection, unity, and celebration within the Muslim community and across the nation. This declaration underscores the government’s commitment to recognizing and respecting the diverse religious traditions of Sierra Leone, fostering a sense of national unity and inclusiv...

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