Violating Ebola bye laws… Five suspects appear before local authorities
Port Loko, Sept. 30 (SLENA) – This can be referred to as one of the first test cases in ensuring the enforcement of the Ebola bye laws instituted in the wake of the outbreak of the disease in the country and further demonstrates the resolve of the people of Port Loko to fight against the spread of the Virus. The photos above show the court hearing and other activities leading to the arrest of the suspects
On Monday this week, five suspects were arraigned before the Paramount Chief of Maforki Chiefdom, PC Alikali Malla, after a report was lodged at the Port Loko police station by head of the Ebola burial team, Mr. Jonathan Ellie for obstructing the work of the burial team.
He claimed to have been attacked, abused and threatened at a compound in Port Loko where they had gone to effect the burial of an Ebola suspected corpse. He told the gathering at the Chief’s Compound that the family was so desperate to have manhandled him that he eventually fled the scene.
According to the Chairman of the Taskforce, who also doubles as the Senior District Officer, Mohamed Sheik Kargbo, such an act was against the provisions of the Ebola bye Llws recently passed in Parliament and pronounced by President Ernest Bai Koroma himself.
The five people, Sahid Wafta, his son Victor, one female Margaret, a youth Anthony and Emmanuel T. Turay were charged for violating the local bye-laws.
According to report, Sahid Wafta was charged with the offence of failing to report the arrival of a stranger from Makeni to the local authorities while his son, Victor together with the other culprits were charged with the offence obstructing the burial of the late wife of the accused, Victor Wafta.
The Chairman of the Ebola Taskforce who Senior District Officer, Mohamed Sheik Kargbo, said the penalty for such offences is a fine of five hundred thousand leones (Le500,000) or a six month jail term.
Sources say the Ebola Taskforce Chairman spearheaded the arrest of the five accused persons and ensured the matter was reported to the police.
Credit SLENA By Hassan BruzStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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