Wasa Freedom Arena

10/11/2026

GOVERNMENT MUST ACCOUNT FOR THE SEPTEMBER 2026 SALARY INCREASE: WHERE IS THE PROMISED 20% PAY RISE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS?

By: Wasa Freedom Arena
Theme: Accountability, Workers’ Welfare and Good Governance

The Government of Sierra Leone must provide a clear and urgent explanation regarding the implementation of the salary increase announced under the 2026 National Budget, which was expected to take effect in September 2026.

According to reports on the 2026 National Budget, the Government planned a 20% salary increase for existing civil servants, effective September 2026, as part of measures intended to improve workers’ welfare and strengthen public service delivery.

However, as October 2026 begins, concerns about the implementation of this commitment raise an important question: Has the promised salary increase been fully implemented, and if not, what is causing the delay?

For public sector workers struggling with the rising cost of living, salary adjustments are not merely budgetary figures or political announcements. They represent the possibility of meeting basic household expenses, paying school fees, accessing healthcare, and providing food for their families.

A BUDGETARY COMMITMENT MUST PRODUCE RESULTS
The inclusion of a salary increase in the National Budget creates a legitimate expectation among workers that the Government will take the necessary steps to implement the policy within the announced timeframe.

A government must be judged not only by the policies it announces but also by its ability to translate those policies into tangible benefits for citizens.

If the September 2026 salary increase has not been implemented as announced, the Government owes public sector workers a transparent explanation. Workers should not be left uncertain about whether the commitment remains in force, when it will be implemented, or whether any outstanding payments will be made retrospectively.

Budgetary promises must not remain on paper while the people they are intended to benefit continue to wait.

TEACHERS DESERVE PARTICULAR ATTENTION
The welfare of teachers deserves special attention because of their essential contribution to national development.

On 26 August 2026, SierraLoaded reported that the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union (SLTU) had called on the Government to review teachers’ salaries and improve their conditions of service ahead of the reopening of schools. The report highlighted concerns about teachers’ earnings and the financial difficulties facing members of the profession.

Further concerns were reported on 5 October 2026, when the SLTU President raised issues relating to salary disparities and stated that approximately 60% of teachers received a net monthly salary of NLe 1,500. The report also noted that the union was pursuing improved remuneration through negotiations with the Government over a new collective bargaining agreement.

These concerns reinforce the need for a clear distinction between the reported 20% salary increase for existing civil servants and any separate salary adjustments or negotiations applicable to teachers.

The Government must clarify the precise scope of the September policy, including which categories of workers qualify, how the increase is being processed, and whether teachers are covered under the same arrangement.

Teachers cannot be expected to deliver quality education under increasingly difficult economic conditions without serious attention to their welfare.

ACCOUNTABILITY MUST GO BEYOND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wasa Freedom Arena believes that public accountability requires the Government to communicate honestly with workers and the wider public.

If administrative, financial, or payroll challenges have delayed implementation, the relevant authorities should explain those challenges and publish a realistic implementation timetable.

If the salary increase has already been implemented, the Government should provide information confirming when the adjustments took effect and which categories of workers received them.

If some eligible workers have been excluded or underpaid, the relevant institutions should establish a process for reviewing the affected cases and addressing any outstanding amounts.

The Ministry of Finance, the relevant public service authorities, and the institutions responsible for salary administration should provide the necessary information to remove uncertainty.

Workers deserve facts, not silence; clear timelines, not uncertainty; and transparent implementation, not promises without verifiable results.

OUR DEMANDS TO THE GOVERNMENT
Wasa Freedom Arena calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to:

1. Clarify the status of the September 2026 salary increase and confirm whether the announced 20% adjustment has been implemented.

2. Publish the implementation timetable if the salary increase remains outstanding, explaining the reasons for any delay.

3. Identify the categories of workers covered by the policy, including the position of teachers and other public sector employees.

4. Address outstanding salary adjustments for eligible workers who have not received the approved increase, including any applicable arrears.

5. Engage constructively with workers’ unions, particularly the Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union, to address concerns about salaries, disparities, and conditions of service.

6. Strengthen public communication and accountability so that workers can verify government commitments and understand the progress of implementation.

CONCLUSION: 🇸🇱 WORKERS' WELFARE MUST BE TAKEN Seriously
The Government of Sierra Leone has a responsibility to ensure that its public service policies are implemented transparently and in accordance with the commitments it makes.

A salary increase announced for September should not become a source of prolonged uncertainty for the workers who depend on their monthly earnings to survive.

At the same time, the public deserves accurate information about what was approved, who qualifies, and what has actually been implemented.

Wasa Freedom Arena therefore calls on the Government to address this matter urgently and provide a clear public statement on the status of the September 2026 salary increase.

We are not calling for political confrontation. We are demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for the welfare of Sierra Leone's hardworking public servants.

A government that makes commitments to its workers must also be prepared to account for their implementation.

Wasa Freedom Arena
Advocating for Human Rights, Good Governance, Social Justice and Accountability.

09/05/2026

A HISTORIC VICTORY FOR GIRLS: SALUTING Madam First Lady Fatima Maada Bio's GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE

By: Elijah Wasawah Brima
CEO, Wasa Freedom Arena

The adoption of a landmark United Nations General Assembly resolution establishing 27 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage represents a powerful moment for the protection of children, the empowerment of girls and the advancement of women's rights around the world.

For Sierra Leone, this achievement carries particular significance. It is an opportunity to recognize and commend the leadership and advocacy of H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of Sierra Leone and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), whose advocacy has helped keep the rights, dignity and future of women and girls firmly on the international agenda.

This is more than the creation of another international day. It is a renewed global commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow, learn, dream and determine their own future without being subjected to forced or premature marriage.

A VOICE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has consistently used her platform to draw attention to issues affecting women and girls, particularly the barriers that prevent girls from reaching their full potential.

Her advocacy sends an important message: the protection of a girl is not simply a social responsibility. it is a human-rights obligation.
When a girl is denied education because of early marriage, society loses a future teacher, doctor, entrepreneur, leader, mother and community builder. When a child is forced into adulthood before she is ready, her childhood, choices and opportunities can be severely restricted.

That is why advocacy against child, early and forced marriage must remain at the centre of development, human rights and social justice.

FROM SIERRA LEONE TO THE WORLD
The international recognition of 27 November demonstrates how issues championed through national and regional advocacy can become part of the global human-rights conversation.
Sierra Leone should take pride in the role played by its First Lady in elevating the voices of women and girls and in contributing to a broader African and international movement for their protection.

Dr. Fatima Maada Bio deserves commendation for helping to amplify an issue that affects millions of girls and for supporting a vision in which girls are protected rather than pressured, educated rather than excluded, empowered rather than silenced.

THE WORK DOES NOT END WITH A RESOLUTION
While the UN resolution is a historic milestone, the real test is implementation. Governments, traditional leaders, religious leaders, parents, teachers, civil-society organizations, law-enforcement institutions and communities must work together to ensure that commitments translate into measurable protection for children.

WE MUST STRENGTHEN:
- Protection against child, early and forced marriage;
- Access to quality education for girls;
- Economic empowerment for women and vulnerable families;
- Community awareness and prevention programmes;
- Support services for survivors;
- Enforcement of laws protecting children;
- Meaningful participation of girls in decisions affecting their lives.

The establishment of an International Day should therefore become a platform not merely for speeches and ceremonies, but for action, accountability and measurable progress.

A FUTURE WHERE EVERY GIRL CAN DREAM
At Wasa Freedom Arena, we believe that human rights, women's rights, children's rights and social justice are inseparable. Every girl deserves the freedom to say what she wants to become.

She deserves the opportunity to attend school.
She deserves protection from violence, exploitation and coercion.
And she deserves the chance to enter adulthood with dignity, confidence and meaningful choices. The global adoption of this resolution is therefore a victory for every girl whose future has been threatened by child marriage.

We proudly recognize Dr. Fatima Maada Bio for her advocacy and leadership in advancing the cause of women and girls, and we encourage her and all other leaders and advocates to continue pushing for stronger action.

Let 27 November become more than a date on the international calendar. Let it become a global day of action.
Let us protect childhood.
Let us keep girls in school.
Let us empower women.
Let us end child, early and forced marriage.
And let us build societies where every girl is free to learn, lead, dream and thrive.

Congratulations, H.E. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, on this important milestone. Your advocacy for women and girls deserves recognition, and the work to protect the next generation must continue.

By:
Elijah Wasawah Brima
CEO, Wasa Freedom Arena

08/23/2026

A UNIFORM IS NOT A LICENCE TO TORTURE

By: Wasa Freedom Arena

The Freedom Arena condemns the Alleged Torture and Dehumanization of Two Men Accused of Stealing Fertilizer

A disturbing video circulating online has raised serious concerns about the alleged torture and degrading treatment of two men reportedly accused of stealing fertilizer.

The footage appears to show the men restrained on the ground while individuals in military-style clothing are around them. While Wasa Freedom Arena does not claim to have independently verified every circumstance surrounding the video, what is shown is sufficiently disturbing to demand an urgent and impartial investigation.

Let us be clear:

If these men committed a crime, prosecute them.
If they stole fertilizer, charge them.
If there is evidence, present it before a court.
But do not torture them,
An accusation is not a conviction.

THE MILITARY MUST NOT DO MOB JUSTICE
Wasa Freedom Arena strongly rejects the idea that military personnel, police officers, vigilantes or members of the public have the right to punish suspects at the point of arrest.

The battlefield mentality of punishment must never replace the rule of law in a civilian society. A person accused of theft remains a human being. His dignity does not disappear because someone points a finger at him. His right to humane treatment does not disappear because the alleged offence is serious.

If security personnel were involved in the treat
ment depicted in this video, the authorities must determine exactly what happened and whether any laws, regulations or professional standards were violated.

GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW
We call upon the Government of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Police, Office of National Security, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and other competent authorities to launch a credible investigation into this incident.

This should not be dismissed as merely another disturbing video on social media. Authorities should establish the identities of the men, identify those responsible for their arrest and treatment, determine whether security personnel were involved, document any injuries, preserve available evidence and establish whether the alleged fertilizer theft actually occurred.

Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible must face the law, regardless of their uniform, position or connections.

JUSTICE FOR THE ACCUSED AND JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF CRIME

Wasa Freedom Arena is not defending theft.
If the men stole fertilizer, they should answer for it according to law. But we cannot build a just Sierra Leone by fighting one alleged crime with another.

Theft must be investigated.
Assault must be investigated.
Torture must be investigated.
Abuse of authority must be investigated.

The same principle of accountability must apply to everyone. Sierra Leone deserves security institutions that citizens can trust, not institutions that citizens fear.

Our soldiers and police officers perform important duties in protecting the nation. That responsibility makes respect for human dignity even more important. The uniform should represent discipline, professionalism and service—not humiliation, cruelty or unlawful punishment.

THIS IS A RULE-OF-LAW ISSUE
Today it may be two men accused of stealing fertilizer. Tomorrow it could be another citizen accused of another offence. If society accepts punishment without trial because the accused person is unpopular, poor, powerless or suspected of committing a crime, then the protection of every citizen becomes weaker.

Justice is not justice when it is administered by anger. Justice is justice when it is administered by law. Wasa Freedom Arena therefore demands an urgent, transparent and impartial investigation.

Let the truth come out.
Let the evidence speak.
Let anyone who committed a crime face the law.
But let us reject torture, dehumanization, cruel treatment and mob justice in all forms.

A suspect is not a convicted criminal.
A uniform is not a licence to abuse.
An accusation is not a death sentence.
And justice must never be replaced by revenge 😭

WASA FREEDOM ARENA
Standing for Human Dignity, Accountability and the Rule of Law.

NO TO TORTURE.
NO TO MOB JUSTICE.
NO TO DEHUMANIZATION.
YES TO JUSTICE.
YES TO DUE PROCESS.
YES TO THE RULE OF LAW.

Elijah Wasawah Brima 🇸🇱
CEO: Wasa Freedom Arena
42 Siaka Steven Street
Freetown Sierra Leone
+23233156070

08/22/2026

YELLIE DUMBUYA: FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE BUSINESS WORLD

By: Wasa Freedom Arena

What happens when talent meets passion, creativity meets the camera, and cooking meets entrepreneurship?

You get Yellie Dumbuya is a promising culinary talent with the potential to turn her love for food into a powerful and profitable brand. Her latest cooking video is more than just a demonstration of preparing a meal. It showcases skill, confidence, creativity, presentation and the courage to put her talent before an audience.

But this is where the bigger opportunity begins.

Yellie has the potential to build a strong identity around cooking, food content creation, catering and food sales. With consistent videos, quality food presentation, professional branding and strong customer engagement, her kitchen can become the foundation of a thriving food business.

🍲 LET'S SUPPORT THE TALENT
Great businesses often begin with something simply a skill, a passion and the determination to keep improving. Yellie already has the passion. Now comes the opportunity to develop the brand.

If you enjoy her cooking, LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE and FOLLOW her content. If you need deliciously prepared food, consider supporting her business through your patronage and recommendations.

And for entrepreneurs, event organizers, restaurants, food companies and potential investors, Yellie's journey is one worth watching.

Yellie Dumbuya is not simply cooking food, she is cooking up an entrepreneurial future. 🔥🍲

Promotional Feature:
Elijah Wasawah Brima
CEO, Wasa Freedom Arena

08/20/2026

Watch to understand the Bribery and Lobbying with Law Makers in our body Politics from the First Parliament of the second Republic to date (1996 to 2026). Unpacking how the game plays with special reference to Bipartisan Bills in US & European Parliament or geopolitics

Listen and share from Edmond Abu Co-Chair Parliament & CSO Network Cum Int Lobbyist
https://youtu.be/gHc8tz9KtdI?si=6KGqXYrFrTyscYHa

Wasa Freedom Arena & Native Consortium Media

Understanding the Bribery and Lobbying with Law Makers and our bod...

08/16/2026

URGENT APPEAL FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

JOINT CHRISTIAN & ISLAMIC PRAYERS FOR NENGBEMA VILLAGE

Nengbema Village, Niawa Lenga Chiefdom, Bo District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone 🇸🇱

The Nengbema Development Forum is making a heartfelt appeal to individuals, families, philanthropists, community leaders, businesses, religious organizations, sons and daughters of Nengbema, friends, and well-wishers to support the upcoming Joint Christian and Islamic Prayers in Nengbema Village.

This important gathering is being organized as an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to come together in unity, brotherhood, faith, and mutual respect, offering prayers for the peace, prosperity, protection, development, and future of Nengbema Village and its people.

A CALL FOR UNITY AND COLLECTIVE SUPPORT
Nengbema is a community whose strength lies in the unity of its people. Through this joint Christian and Islamic prayer gathering, we seek to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen community relationships, and bring people together regardless of religious background.

Organizing this gathering requires resources to cover essential arrangements such as transportation, sound and public-address equipment, venue preparation, seating, electricity, publicity, communication, feeding, and other logistical needs.

We therefore humbly appeal to all individuals and organizations who believe in community unity, peaceful coexistence, faith, and development to contribute according to their ability.

Every contribution matters. No contribution is too small.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

Those willing to support the Joint Christian and Islamic Prayers can send their financial contributions through:

📱 Orange Money:

075667295

Please call before sending your contribution.

Your prayers, financial assistance, encouragement, and participation will be greatly appreciated.

LET US PRAY TOGETHER. LET US BUILD TOGETHER.

We call upon Nengbema sons and daughters at home and abroad, religious leaders, community stakeholders, business people, philanthropists, friends of Nengbema, and people of goodwill to join hands in making this gathering successful.

Let Christians and Muslims stand together in peace, unity, love, and prayer, seeking God's blessings and guidance for Nengbema Village, Niawa Lenga Chiefdom, Bo District, and Sierra Leone as a whole.

Together, let us build a stronger, more peaceful, united, and prosperous Nengbema.

May God Almighty bless every individual, family, organization, and institution that supports this worthy initiative.

Chairman

Elijah Wasawah Brima
Nengbema Development Forum
📞 Contact: +232 331 56070

Nengbema Development Forum
Together We Build • Together We Transform 🇸🇱

08/16/2026

Bondaesia Association Bristol & UK Celebrates 1st Anniversary with Fundraiser Dinner & Dance in Support of Education

By: WasaTech Solutions Ltd

Bondaesia Association Bristol & UK, Ahmuloma, is proudly marking its 1st Year Anniversary with a special Fundraiser Dinner & Dance dedicated to supporting education and strengthening community development.

Under the theme, “Fundraiser to invest in traditional & cultural materials for educational purposes,” the celebration will bring together families, friends, community members, supporters and well-wishers for an evening of culture, entertainment, networking and meaningful contribution toward education.

🎓 Investing in Education and Culture

This fundraiser goes beyond celebration. It is an opportunity to invest in the preservation of traditional and cultural materials that can contribute to educational development and help younger generations understand, appreciate and preserve their heritage.

The event promises an exciting blend of African culture, music, dancing, community fellowship and fundraising, creating an atmosphere where celebration meets purpose.

📅 Event Details

Date: Saturday, 3rd October 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 12:00 Midnight
Venue: Docklands Community Centre
Address: 29 Brigstoke Road, St Pauls, Bristol BS4 1BF

🎟️ Entrance Fees

- Under 10 years: FREE
- 10–16 years: £10
- Adults: £30
- Patron: £50

Dress Code: African Attire

📞 RSVP & Contact

RSVP: Vanessa | Francis

Vanessa: 07881982032
Francis: 97507639876

Everyone is encouraged to come dressed in beautiful African attire and join this important community initiative. Your attendance, financial support and participation can help turn the vision of investing in cultural and educational resources into reality.

🤝 WasaTech Solutions Ltd Supports Community Development

WasaTech Solutions Ltd is pleased to promote this important anniversary celebration and fundraiser. We recognize the importance of initiatives that bring communities together while investing in education, culture, heritage and future generations.

We encourage individuals, families, businesses, community leaders and organizations to support the initiative through attendance, sponsorship, donations and active participation.

Let us celebrate our culture, strengthen our community and invest in education together.

Celebrating Culture • Building Community • Investing in Education

🌍 Together We Celebrate, Together We Grow!

Promoted by WasaTech Solutions Ltd
Innovate, Connect & Grow

08/08/2026

Standing With Bernard Sandy’s Agricultural Revolution.

We proudly affirm my support for this agricultural revolutionary project, an initiative that deserves serious attention, encouragement, and collective support.

Agriculture is not simply about farming, it is about food security, employment, economic independence, poverty reduction, and building a sustainable future for our communities.

If we want to reduce our dependence on imported food and create opportunities for our young people, we must invest in agriculture today.

I therefore encourage individuals, businesses, community leaders, development partners, government institutions, and all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans in this Mubema Forum and beyond, to support this initiative financially, technically and physically.

Support can come in many forms, including:

- Financial contributions
- Tractors and power tillers
- Water pumps and irrigation systems
- Seeds, fertilizers and pesticides
- Cutlasses, hoes
- shovels and wheelbarrows
- Sprayers and harvesting equipment
- Protective clothing and farming boots
- Storage facilities and processing machines
- Transportation and farm vehicle
- Technical expertise, training and mentorship
- Volunteer labour, energy and community mobilisation

Every contribution counts. A small financial contribution, a piece of equipment, technical knowledge, labour, or even connecting the project to potential partners can make a meaningful difference.

Let us move beyond talking about agricultural transformation and begin investing in practical solutions. Our farmers need tools, our young people need opportunities, and our nation needs sustainable food production.

I call on everyone who believes in the future of Sierra Leone to stand behind Bernard Sandy’s agricultural revolutionary vision. Let us provide the finance, energy, equipment, knowledge and commitment required to turn this vision into a productive reality.

Agriculture can feed Sierra Leone. Agriculture can employ Sierra Leoneans. Agriculture can transform Sierra Leone.

Let us support the revolution. Let us invest in the soil. Let us grow what we eat and eat what we grow in our nation.

Call Mr. Sandy 👇👇👇
+17322777439
Sylvia Olayinka Blyden
First Lady Fatima Maada Bio
SL News Blog Sierraloaded

08/06/2026

CAN A CIVILIAN DECLARE A DRIVER “WANTED” IN SIERRA LEONE AFTER A FATAL HIT-AND-RUN?

What Does the Law Say About a Foreign-Registered Truck That Hits and Kills Someone Before the Driver Flees?

By Wasa Freedom Arena

When a person is killed in a road traffic collision and the driver allegedly flees the scene, the matter is no longer simply a traffic inconvenience. It raises serious questions of criminal accountability, road safety, justice for the deceased and the responsibility of law-enforcement authorities to identify and bring the suspected offender before the courts.

But an important legal question arises:

Can an ordinary civilian or civil-society organization in Sierra Leone legally declare the suspected driver “WANTED”?

The answer requires a careful distinction between calling for a suspect to be located and investigated and issuing an official wanted declaration.

THE POLICE HAVE THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO DECLARE A PERSON OFFICIALLY WANTED

A civilian does not acquire the institutional powers of the Sierra Leone Police merely because a serious crime has allegedly occurred.

An official “WANTED” declaration carries considerable legal significance. It should therefore be based on a lawful investigation, identification of the suspect and the appropriate authority of law-enforcement agencies.

The Sierra Leone Police itself maintains an official public platform for wanted-person notices and specifically instructs members of the public who recognize a suspect not to engage the suspect but to submit verified information through official channels.

Therefore, Wasa Freedom Arena should be careful with the wording of any public campaign.

Instead of declaring:

“WANTED BY WASA FREEDOM ARENA”

the legally safer formulation would be:

“WASA FREEDOM ARENA CALLS ON THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE TO DECLARE AND TRACE THE SUSPECTED DRIVER WANTED, SUBJECT TO INVESTIGATION AND DUE PROCESS.”

That wording makes the organization an advocate for justice rather than pretending to exercise police powers.

THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT, 2024 RECOGNIZES THE ROLE OF PRIVATE CITIZENS

This does not mean that civilians are powerless.

Section 13 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 recognizes circumstances in which a private person may arrest without a warrant. Among them is where the person suspects that another has committed a felony or an offence punishable by life imprisonment, provided the offence actually occurred and the private person has reasonable grounds for believing that the person arrested committed it.

But the law imposes an important limitation.

Under section 14, a person arrested by a private individual must be handed over to a Police Officer as soon as possible.

Therefore, the law does not authorize members of the public to establish private police forces, punish suspects, assault suspects, seize property arbitrarily or conduct vigilante justice.

THE ROAD TRAFFIC ACT ALSO IMPOSES RESPONSIBILITIES AFTER AN ACCIDENT

The Road Traffic Act, 2007 is particularly relevant.

Section 91 deals with accidents involving personal injury and imposes duties concerning stopping, providing information and reporting the accident to the police in the circumstances specified by the Act.

Where a driver hits a person and the person dies, the circumstances surrounding the driving, the collision and the subsequent departure from the scene must be properly investigated.

The question is not merely:

“Who was driving the truck?”

The investigation should establish:

- Who owned the truck?
- Who was driving it?
- What was the vehicle's foreign registration number?
- Where did the truck enter Sierra Leone?
- Was it properly authorized to operate in Sierra Leone?
- Was the driver properly licensed?
- Was the vehicle insured?
- What speed was the truck travelling?
- Was the driver driving dangerously, recklessly or carelessly?
- Did the driver know that a person had been struck?
- Did the driver stop and render assistance?
- Why did the driver allegedly leave the scene?
- Where is the driver now?
- Where is the truck?
- What evidence exists from witnesses, CCTV cameras, photographs, mobile phones and other sources?

These are questions for a proper criminal investigation.

THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK IS FOREIGN-REGISTERED DOES NOT PUT THE DRIVER ABOVE SIERRA LEONEAN LAW

A foreign registration plate should not become a shield against accountability.

If a road traffic offence or other criminal offence was committed within Sierra Leone, the relevant Sierra Leonean authorities have a responsibility to investigate the matter under applicable Sierra Leonean law.

The foreign registration may require cooperation with authorities in another country to identify the vehicle owner or driver, but it does not automatically erase the alleged offence.

CAN WASA FREEDOM ARENA “DECLARE” THE DRIVER WANTED?

This is where precision matters.

Wasa Freedom Arena can publicly call for the identification, tracing, investigation and arrest of a suspected driver.

It can also publish verified information concerning the incident and appeal to members of the public who have credible information to provide that information to the police.

But Wasa Freedom Arena should not present its own declaration as an official police or court-issued wanted warrant unless such authority has actually been issued.

The proper approach is:

“Wasa Freedom Arena calls on the Sierra Leone Police to officially declare the suspected driver wanted and commence an urgent investigation into the fatal hit-and-run.”

That is a strong public-interest position while respecting the rule of law.

CITIZENS CAN HELP — BUT SHOULD NOT TAKE THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS

The Criminal Procedure Act gives private persons limited arrest powers in defined circumstances. It does not authorize vigilante action.

If the suspect is located, citizens should immediately notify the police rather than assaulting, threatening, abducting or punishing the suspect.

The Sierra Leone Police currently directs the public to submit verified information through official channels concerning wanted persons.

This distinction is fundamental:

Justice requires accountability, but accountability must operate through law.

WHAT WASA FREEDOM ARENA SHOULD DEMAND

Wasa Freedom Arena therefore calls upon the relevant authorities to:

1. Open or intensify a formal investigation into the fatal road traffic incident.

2. Identify the driver of the foreign-registered truck through the registration number, witnesses, CCTV footage, vehicle records and other available evidence.

3. Trace the foreign-registered truck and determine its owner, operator, insurance status and legal status in Sierra Leone.

4. Determine whether the driver violated the Road Traffic Act, 2007 or any other applicable criminal law.

5. Issue an official wanted notice where the evidential and legal requirements are satisfied.

6. Use appropriate cross-border law-enforcement cooperation if the suspected driver has left Sierra Leone.

7. Preserve CCTV footage, photographs, witness statements and other evidence before crucial evidence disappears.

8. Keep the family of the deceased informed about the progress of the investigation.

9. Ensure that any eventual prosecution is conducted according to due process and the Constitution.

CONCLUSION: NO DRIVER SHOULD BE ABOVE THE LAW

The death of a person in a road traffic collision deserves more than public outrage. It deserves a professional investigation and lawful accountability.

The fact that the truck is foreign-registered should not discourage the authorities from pursuing the truth.

At the same time, citizens and civil-society organizations must understand their legal boundaries.

Wasa Freedom Arena does not need to become the police in order to demand justice.

Its legitimate role is to mobilize public attention, demand transparency, preserve public-interest pressure and call upon the competent authorities to act.

If the evidence establishes that a particular driver caused the death and unlawfully fled the scene, then the Sierra Leone Police should take the necessary legal steps to identify, trace, arrest and prosecute that suspect.

The message from Wasa Freedom Arena is simple:

“A foreign registration plate must never become a passport from justice. A life has been lost, and the law must be allowed to take its course.”

Wasa Freedom Arena
Advocating for justice, accountability, human rights and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.