One of the Leading Telecommunications, Orange Sierra Leone does not only provide telecoms services but also invest in energy for the comfort of Sierra Leoneans.
The country’s leading telecoms service provider installs solar panels in customers’ houses to provide reliable energy supply.
To ensure customer loyalty, the company has assured customers of the great benefits they will enjoy with the installation of solar panels in their homes and offices.
“You will access all local TV stations in your region if you connect your DVD or DSTV. You can also connect your USB stick and watch movies, play music,” an Orange SL official assures customers.
With the solar energy, the customer can use the TV to connect to laptops and do presentations as well as office work.
A customer can call on 420 should they encounter problem.
The line is active on a 24-hour basis, and customers could use it to communicate with company officials.
The installation fee can be paid through Orange Money to the partner shop owners or by physical cash.
#144# can be dialed to make payment via Orange Money and reply with option 3 to receive drop down menu of which the customer can also reply with the same option again (Orange services).
They can also choose option 1 for Orange energy.
The service is also accessed by dialing #144*3*3*1# and follow instructions.
Once the upfront payment is made, the items will be delivered by Orange agents, and help in the installation free of cost.
Under this business scheme, the customer could be alerted by SMS a day before the subscription ends, and that counting starts immediately as the customer pays and ends exact on the expiration date given after activation.
Only premium pack can be paid in full, and it is cash and carry.
Customers are also assured that they could use the device immediately when it is up and running.
Payments for the energy service is however not refundable in a situation where a customer is tired of using the pack prior to the full payment.
The company has a stand-by and dedicated team to do repairs or change faulty devices.
The solar panels are made of highly excitable, conductive materials when the sun’s rays hit the solar panels, and the reaction creates direct current electricity.
Two different packages exist: basic and premium which are affordable to the customer.
Alleged Manhandling of LAJ…
Bar Ass. Condemns police Action
The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has joined the torrent of interest and human rights groups to condemn the allegations of torture and inhuman treatment meted on Alhaji Amadu Bah (Aka LAJ) as he is currently in police custody for alleged felonious crimes.
The statement said that the Sierra Leone Bar Association (hereinafter known as “the SLBA”) has followed with keen interest the incidents surrounding the arrest of Alhaji Amadu Bah (alias LAJ) and his subsequent detention which took place on 12 June, 2022.
We note with grave concern the allegations of torture and degrading treatment of Alhaji Amadu Bah and the refusal to allow his family members or his Solicitors have access to him whilst in Police custody as contained in an open letter dated 17June 2022, addressed to the Inspector General of Police
According to the press release these allegations of inhumane treatment have been bolstered by the admission of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in a Press Release dated 18th June 2022 stating that Alhaji Amadu Bah who was and still in that custody, had his dreadlocks shaved off Such action by the Sierra Leone Police amounts to degrading and serious mistreatment and in blatant Violation of section 20(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 Act No, 6 of 1991
The SLBA views the reasons preferred by the SLP tor such action equally untenable, as the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the said facility 1s in stark variance with the provision of section 20(1) Supra and a flagrant disregard of the several Interactional Treaty Instruments that Sierra Leone has ratified which provide for, among other things the respect for the inherent dignity of the human person and protection against torture, other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment whilst in custody.
“While SLBA recognises that the general duties of the Sierra Leone Police are, inter alia, for the detection of crimes, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order and the protection of lives and property, these duties do not derogate the Sierra Leone Police from is adherence to presumption of innocence of a detainee and the provision of section 17(2Xa) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone. Act of 6 199| which provides tor, amongst other things, the right of a detained person to access a legal practitioner and to communicate with him confidentially
The SLBA as a moral guarantor of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and all other International instruments binding on us as a people and as a country feels deeply perturbed by this state of affairs.
The violator of the laws and values that we hold dear to our hearts and minds should certainly not be the SLP that vowed to enforce the laws as enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 Accordingly, SLBA hereby calls for the following” the press statement said.
Finally, the press release recommended that: 1. The Independent Police Complaints Board conducts an immediate investigation into all allegations of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of Alhaji Amadu Bah and other detainees relating to his arrest
2 That the Police Council suspends the operation of all SoPs in Police Custody Facilities pending a thorough review of the said SOPs to ensure they are compliant with the provisions of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 1991 and International Treaty Instruments which guarantee rights to humane treatment in detention
3. That the retained Solicitors of Alhaji Amadu Bah, Human Rights Commission for Sierra Leone and Family Members be granted an immediate and unconditional access to Alhaji Amadu Bah while in Police Custody Facility
4.That Alhaji Amadu Bah MUST be brought before a court of law within ten days from the date of his arrest, which is Sunday 12th June 2022, pursuant to the provision of section 17(3Na) of Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No.6of 1991.
SLRSA Board Chair dilates on Rebranding
The Chairman Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority [SLRSA], Mr. Sheikh Mustapha Bawoh has disclosed that, improving Road Safety was critical towards the eradication of Poverty and shared prosperity in Sierra Leone. The Chariman made this remarks on Friday June 17, 2022 during the SLRSA Board and Management retreat held at the Garden State complex in Makeni City.
Mr. Sheikh Mustapha Bawoh, who was addressing the retreat on the theme: “Rebranding to maximize road safety and revenue generation”, emphasized the importance of revenue mobilization to support road safety measures and encouraged the SLRSA to intensify revenue mobilization efforts. He discribed rebranding as the act of changing the corporate image of an organization or the act of changing the ways an organization appears to the public.
In his statement, the chairman parliamentary oversight committee on Transport and Aviation Hon. Maada Lebbie pledged the full cooperation of Parliament towards the rebranding process of the SLRSA. He said Parliament wanted to see an SLRSA that could perform it’s duties as enshrined in the various road safety laws and regulations.
He entreated the SLRSA to undertake an effective decentralization process to enhance service delivery.
The two days retreat ended with series of recommendations by both Board Members, Management Staff and Stakeholders in the Transport Sector.
The retreat brought together Motor Drivers Union, Sierra Leone Police, Bike Riders Union, the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission and other non-state actors. Other highlights of the retreat were a panel discussion, and Question and Answer sessions.
In his closing remarks, the Executive Director assured participants that the outcome of the retreat would be fully validated and implemented.
LAJ’s Brother & 11 others Denied Bail
By Feima Sesay
Popular Musician LAJ`s Brother Ishmael Bah and 11 others were on Monday 20 June 2022 denied bail again by magistrate Mark Ngegba of Pademba road court No2 over an alleged Riotious conduct and disorderly behaviour at OSD Head Quarters.
The accused Ishmael Bah, Mohamed S Bah, Zunaika Jabbie, Abibatu Sesay, Isatu Cece Kabba and seven others who made their second appearance in court were arraigned on two counts charges of Disorderly Behaviour and Riotous Conduct contrary to section 12 of the public order act No46 as repealed and replaced by section 12 (a) of act No 15 of 1973.
According to the police, all the accused persons on Wednesday 15 June 2022 at Operation Support Division headquarters Kingharman Road Freetown did behave in a disorderly manner. Whiles the accused persons on the same date and place behave in a Riotous manner.
Prosecution witness No 1 Sergeant 87100 Ramatulia Mabinty Conteh led in evidence by ASP Hawa Bah said she is attached to the OSD Head Quarters Kingharman Road Freetown.
In further evidence recognized all the accused person and recalled Wednesday 15 June 2022 , adding that prior to that date, she was on duty when first and second accused came to the station requesting to see LAJ, but told them she had no idea as to who their brother LAJ is.
“When I looked outside after talking to them I saw LAs wife and I asked them to go home which they did”, she said.
She added that on Wednesday 15 June 2022, they went to the station again, according to her she informed her boss AIG Francis Tawa about them and then his boss told her to ask them out, adding that upon that they started using invectives languages on the police force.
The witness further told the court that while the accused were misbehaving, his boss Francis Tawa and two other police came to the scene and requested them to go home, upon that request, the accused started throwing mega rubbers at the police and that it was at that time his boss Francis Tawa ordered their arrest and they were all arrested immediately and detained in cell.
During cross examination by lawyer Bah, the witness said there were many people at the scene but could not arrest them all because some ran away.
When she was asked that because she feared for her life so she could not tell among the accused who were throwing bottles, she responded in the affirmative.
The witness further confirmed to the court that there are procedures to enter their station and that at the entrance they have more than five police manning the entrance and so one can enter their without going through the police.
She said she was only at the scene but did not arrest any of the accused persons.
The prosecution witness No 2
Sub Inspector Charles Dixon Alieu attached OSD Head Quarters Kingharman Road.
In further evidence said he know Pw1 Sergeant Ramatulia Conteh and recognized all the accused and further recalled Wednesday 15 June 2022.
He added prior to that, he came to know first accused on Monday 13 June 2022 when he came to enquire about LAJ and that he spoke to him and he left.
The witness said on Wednesday 15 June 2022, all the accused came to the station with four vehicles, adding that upon their arrival, the first accused together with 6, 8,9, 10 and 11 went straight to the reception requesting to see LAJ noting that nothing will stop them from seeing LAJ.
He said the accused started causing loud noise which promoted his boss delta three Assistant Commissioner of police Patrick Moseray and later delta two Francis Tawa to come to the scene.
He said immediately, AIG Tawa came down the accused started throwing mega rubbers at him which prompted him to order their arrest.
He said upon his instructions, himself together with other delta officers arrested the accused persons and took them to the back of their station.
In conclusion, the witness said he made statement to the police at Congo cross police station.
In his cross examination by lead defence Counsel Lawyer A Bah said he has work as a police officers for the past 18 years.
When he was asked as to whether people usually come to their station to make enquire as to their relative being arrest he reply in the affirmative noting further that LAJ was in their custody but did not grant his relative access to him.
He said he is a supervising officer at the operation department division (OSD) Head Quarters.
He said the first accused was arrested within the gate whiles the others were arrested outside the gate.
Lawyer A. Bah applied for bail on behalf of all the accused persons pursuant to section 79 (2(3) of the CPA 1965.
Magistrate Ngegba however refused bail and adjourned to 21/6/22 for further hearing.
Lawyer A. Bah, Madieu Sesay and 10 other lawyers were representing the accused persons in court whiles ASP Hawa Bah was prosecuting the matter on behalf of the Inspector General Of Police.
