Your Excellency Sir,
RE: Njala University Strike Action
The Legal Aid Board of Sierra Leone sends its most distinguished
sentiment to H.E the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of
the Republic of Sierra Leone, and Chancellor of Njala University.
The Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone wishes to inform His Excellency the President that a good number of the Njala Students who were on strike today have been to the Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone offices in Kenema,Bo and Freetown seeking our intervention. Some of them have already been detained because of the demonstration. We are working with the Police regarding all of the detained students.
In accordance with our mandate to give legal advice, representation and education to indigent Sierra Leoneans, we are hereby representing them administratively and judicially.
The Legal Aid Board, and the students concerned in the demonstration of 23rd March, 2017 send their unreserved apologies to His Excellency the President and the people of Sierra Leone for their strike action. We have further, instructed them to keep the peace and stop all demonstrations and go to their respective homes while we await the
Senate decisions on this matter, to which they have agreed.
The students want to implore you to temper justice with mercy. They are extremely troubled that they are about to lose a whole academic year. We know that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone is a fair, just, concerned and human rights conscious President.
Against this background, we pray your speedy intervention into a swift resolution of this matter, as the students have a matter of days, after which it becomes practically impossible for them to have their academic year on course.
The Legal Aid Board greatly appreciates the intervention of the the Resident Minister East, City Mayor, Legal Aid Board Regional Officer and other stakeholders in Kenema District for their speedy intervention in this matter. The Southern Province Security Committee Members including Legal Aid Bo have also helped to calm the Students.
The Sierra Leone Police must also be commended for their intervention and cooperation with the Legal aid Board.
It is our understanding that the strike action has been called off. We hope and pray that the problem will be resolved once and for all.Thanks in advance for your cooperation and good will at all times.
God bless you Sir.
Yours faithfully
Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles
Executive Director
