London Mining’s land tussle suspect in court
Mohamed Tarawally of No.119 Regent Road, Lumley, was arraigned before Magistrate Steven Conteh of Court No. 1 on Monday answering to three count charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, disorderly behaviour contrary to Section 12, No. 46 of the 19615 Public Order Act as amended by Section 12 (a) of Act, No. 15 of the 1973 Act on the same offence, impersonation contrary to Section 3, Caps 34 as amended in Section (4) and (5) of the Impersonation Act No.13, of 1975 in the laws of Sierra Leone.
Mohamed Tarawally made his first public appearance after spending ten days in the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters in Freetown with a stiff bail condition.
The Paramount Chief in Lunsar PC Koblo Queen II appeared as complainant in the matter on behalf of London Mining Company Plc.
The particulars of offence state that on diverse days between March 20 and March 25, Mohamed Tarawally of Magbente village in the Marampa Chiefdom in judicial District of Port Loko appeared to disrupt workers of London Mining Company on site work.
Testifying in his own defence before the presiding Magistrate, Steven Conteh, Mohamed Tarawally said the Paramount Chief, Koblo Queen II met him at the military museum in Freetown to negotiate as to how London Mining Plc should be complying in terms of paying their surface fees, royalties, and taking priority list of their corporate social responsibilities to benefit the recipient residents of Lunsar and its surrounding nine villages.
He said the said meeting was to see how they could put ideas together and review the already listed land to London Mining and include priority development items in the new agreement document that should replace the first five year lease.
He said the 300 buildings owned by the hydro project which are being demolished by London Mining were being used by the community people as duelling houses; now that they have been demolished the people should be compensated because they are constrained of accommodation. He said further that the Paramount Chief should be involved in the negotiations the direct beneficiaries of the properties to ensure that any deal sealed on their behalf is transparent. He said the Paramount Chief took offence and threatened his personality and got him arrested at Lunsar and later brought to the CID headquarters in Freetown.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
