SLPP youth chairman on the run
Monday 26 November 2012, seventeen ballot boxes were found filled with ballot papers at a house in Bo. These ballot boxes were alleged not to have been counted for inclusion in the final result NEC Chairperson Dr. Christian Thorpe announced and with rumours making the rounds, SLPP supporters resident in the township of Kenema mobilized in the streets shouting slogans like; NO MAADA !, NO ERNEST! which galvanized into a riot and skirmishes between the SLPP supporters and the Security Forces in Kenema. (Photo: Alie BadaraYansaneh)
Arrests were made of seven people including SLPP Regional Secretary Maada Puawei Sellu, with charges ranging from incitement, assault, offensive weapons, riotous conduct and disorderly behavior. A dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in both Kenema and Bo.
The Regional Youth Chairman of the opposition, SLPP party, Mr. Alie Badara Yansaneh of 11 Saidu Street, Kissy Town, Kenema, upon hearing the arrest of his colleagues, is said to be on the run or in hiding for fear of being apprehended by the police for his involvement in the riots.
It is also alleged that supporters of the winningAll People’s Congress (APC) party elections are also in search of Alie Badara Yansaneh who they accused of terrifying them, saying that they should not be happy for the landslide victory of His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. The police are also making efforts to get hold Alie Badara Yansaneh who reports say was behind the riot. Nonetheless, close family members of the fugitive are very worried and are calling on Government, Human Rights organizations, police and the people of Sierra Leone to help locate the whereabouts of their son and report to them at 11 Saidu Street, Kissy Town, Kenema District.
Meanwhile the seven detainees on 28th November 2012 were remanded by the presiding Magistrate of the Kenema Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Mohamed AlhajiMomoh-Jah Stevens on seven count charges ranging from Incitement, Assault, Carrying of Offensive Weapons, Riotous Conduct, to Disorderly Behaviour, all contrary to law.
A total of ten prosecution witnesses including police, military personnel , and the Exhibition Clerk of the Kenema Police Division, testified in court on the matter.
After their testimonies, the presiding Magistrate requested the seven accused persons to bring forward their defense on the next adjourned date. The matter is being prosecuted by the Assistant Superintendent of Police Sahr Didi Lahai, attached to the Legal and Justice Support Department of the Kenema Police Division. Three Defense Lawyers represented the accused persons.
The matter was adjourned to 3 December 2012.
By Sylvester Kawah
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
