Arbitrary Use of Office… Journalist complains Magistrate Shyllon
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone has received a complaint of abuse of office by the Magistrate of Court 3. (Photo: Arthwah Maddie of For di People newspaper)
According to a letter of complaint forwarded to the Human Rights Commission, it was alleged that Magistrate Shyllon arbitrarily subjected journalist Arthwah Maddie to three hours detention for publishing inaccurate information on a matter under investigation.
Findings say the journalist who reports for ‘For Di People’ newspaper, Arthwah Maddie, covered a rape case trial, reported the story, but gave the wrong age of a party to the case.
Upon publication of the story, Magistrate Shyllon, we are told, demanded an explanation from the journalist for the anomaly in the story he published.
That explanation given was unconvincing, he therefore ordered police to put the journalist behind bars.
Questions many now asked is whether magistrates have the power to punish for contempt as in the case of the story reported by For di People reporter.
Investigation has confirmed that magistrates generally don’t have right to punish for contempt.
That the right to punish for contempt rests on the shoulders of judges and not magistrates.
Although the Human Rights Commission is yet to summons Magistrate Shyllon for a reply to complaint against him, sources say the journalist intends complaining about him to the office of Chief Justice.
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