The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 23 July 2014

Doctor Omar Khan – a Sierra Leonean virologist and specialist, responsible for treating those diagnosed with the deadly Ebola virus, has himself fallen victim to the virus, in eastern Sierra Leone – the epicentre of the disease.

According to State House report, Dr. Sheik Umar Khan – who is 39 years old, is recognised as a “national hero” for his effort in leading the fight in controlling the Ebola outbreak.

The very ill doctor has been transferred to a special treatment ward, set up and managed by Medecins Sans Frontieres.

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Bai Bai Sesay

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 23 July 2014

Popular musicians – Emerson (photo), LAJ, Sound boy-Richie, and several others have received death threats for exposing corruption and tribalism in Sierra Leone.

Threatening phone calls and text messages were sent, following the violent assault in Freetown, of Sierra Leone’s leading music producer – Joseph Richard Abdulai – aka Sound boy Riche, for producing Emerson’s ‘Kokobeh’ as well as ‘This Corruption’ by Amadu B Bah – aka LAJ.

Sound-Boy Richie is blind. He is an outstanding music producer and has produced songs for major artists in Sierra Leone, including Steady Bongo, Jimmy B, Emerson Bockarie, Kao Denero, LAJ, Star Zero and others.

He has also produced songs for international artists across the world.

He was attacked and assaulted by a group of 7 people on July 10th, 2014, along Campbell Street in the presence of 441 group member Edward Wright.

He sustained injuries during the attack, according to a Police report at Central Police station, and is in hiding in an unknown location, fearing for his life.

In another incident, he was attacked by 3 people while walking along the Lumley beach in Freetown. Where is Sierra Leone heading?

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Dr. Sama Banya – Puawui

The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 22 July 2014

The last time that the APC won what could properly be described as a free election, was in March 1967, when the late Brigadier David Lansana later played into their hands, by staging an unnecessary military coup.

The repercussions of that event contributed in no small measure to the party succeeding itself in perpetuity for all of 24 years. (Photo: President Koroma).

Lansana’s coup was all too brief. It was aborted by his immediate subordinates, led by Charles Blake. That led to the National Reformation Council NRC forming a Military government, headed by the hitherto almost shy Andrew Juxon-Smith, who was to amaze everyone by being very garrulous and abrasive to the point of rudeness.

As a matter of fact, the former Chief Justice Sir Samuel Bankole Jones described his manners before one of the Commissions of Inquiry as being uncouth.

The NRC in its turn was overthrown by a group of Warrant Officers, headed by Emadu Rogers, James Kengenye and Patrick Conteh – incidentally all South-Easterners.

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The Sierra Leone Telegraph: 21 July 2014

The banning of a radio talk show by the Koroma government of Sierra Leone, simply because the minister of defence is being held accountable for the death of two soldiers in a road traffic accident involving the minister’s convoy, is nothing short of an abuse of executive powers.

Whilst the defence minister may not have been directly responsible for the cause of that fatal accident, which took place a few months ago, but as an employer of every one of those soldiers in his convoy, he is legally accountable for their security and safety.

When president Koroma speaks of rampant lawlessness in the country, he not only refers to the behaviour of the unemployed youths, or those dumping garbage on the streets, or drivers failing to obey traffic regulations.

He is also expected to be referring to his ministers, as well as those responsible for the administration and enforcement of the rule of law.

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