A WARD COUNCILLOR AND 2 HEALTH WORKERS SENT ON REMAND FOR VIOLATING EBOLA LAWS By Hassan Bruz Northern Bureau Chief You can call it a ‘Try and feel it raw’ pattern. But the fact remains that the Authorities in the Northern District of Port Loko can no longer afford to entertain any ray of lawlessness especially attempts that are geared towards frustrating the concerted efforts aimed at eradicating Ebola out of the District. It is along those lines that a Ward Councillor and two Health Workers have had cause to be arranged at the Magistrate Court in Port Loko. Councillor Abdul Sinneh Bangura, John Foray –the Community Health Officer in Charge and his assistant-Saidu Kaprr Conteh both of the New Maforki Health Centre at Old Port Loko, were recently arrested and carted away to the Port Loko Police Station. This was as a result of an official report from the District Medical Officer- Dr. Adikali Alpha Kamara and the then Chairman of the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre- Mohamed Sheick Kargbo who is also the Senior District Officer in Port Loko. They made the report on behalf of the Ebola Emergency Operation Centre in the District. The Management of this Centre had earlier reached a decision that People who have been successfully treated and said to have survived the disease, will be put at an Isolated Location for a brief period where they will be rehabilitated and observed for about a week before proceeding to join their various Communities. According to the Crime Officer at the Port Loko Police Station where the matter was investigated, that EOC meeting was attended by both Councillor Abdul Sinneh Bangura and one of the Health Workers- in the person of Saidu Kaprr Conteh. The two men are said to have even expressed dissatisfaction over the idea and went further to challenge the decision. The Crime Officer said it was that very night a group of angry Youths mobilised to the Health Centre and maliciously damaged the Door to the Centre and two Foam Mattresses. Assistant Superintendent Michael Joseph Kopormeh Lagga said the matter has since been investigated and charged to Court. Issa Kamara is the Clerk at the Magistrate Court in Port Loko which is being presided over by Magistrate Abdul Sheriff. He said the 3 Accused Persons have been charged with the offences of Conspiracy contrary to Law and Malicious Damage contrary to Section51 of the Malicious Act of 1861. He said count 3 has to do with the offence of Entering an Ebola EPI Centre contrary to the Regulations 4[1]of the Public Emergency Regulations of 2014 of the Constitutional Instruments, while Count 4 is based on Entering a Quarantined Location Centre contrary to Regulation 6[2]of the Public Emergency Regulations of 2014 of the Constitutional Instruments No.5 of 2014.The 3 Accused Persons had earlier appeared before Magistrate Sheriff and the Charges were read to them with the explanation that it was a case of Preliminary Investigations for which no pleas were taken. They were subsequently sent on Remand owing to the seriousness of the offences. Councillor Abdul Sinneh Bangura, Saidu kaprr Conteh and John Foray made their second appearance early this week under the representation of a Lawyer. But much progress was not made due to the absence of the Prosecuting witnesses. The District Medical Officer Dr. Adikali Alpha Kamara and the then Chairman of the EOC who is also the Senior District Officer in Port Loko- Mohamed Sheick Kargbo were not in Court. The Police Prosecutor –Inspector M. Sillah said his witnesses were absent in Court as a result of crucial busy schedules in their respective Offices. He however appealed for an adjournment and promised to ensure that they avail their presence against the next adjourned date. His application was up held by Magistrate Sheriff who adjourned the matter to next Monday as all the Accused Persons were granted a Bail of 5 Million Leones each. Below is the Photo of the no nonsense Magistrate- Abdul Sheriff......
Posted on: Fri, 17 Oct 2014 07:24:10 +0000