By: Saidu Jalloh, Reporter
Kula Abu, a 38-year-old resident of Torkpombu village in the Dama Chiefdom of Kenema District, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the High Court of Kenema, presided over by Hon. Justice Abubakarr Sannoh.
Abu faced two charges of causing grievous bodily harm after she intentionally inflicted severe injuries on her husband, Abu Mambu, on April 12, 2024. The assault resulted in significant disfigurement and permanent blindness for the victim. During the proceedings, Abu pleaded guilty and requested leniency in her sentencing.
In his ruling, Justice Sannoh acknowledged that Abu is a first-time offender and a mother of three young children. “I understand that the convict is the wife of the victim and has three children, all still in their tender age,” he stated. However, he underscored the seriousness of the crime and the lasting impact on Mambu, whose injuries have profoundly affected his life.
Taking these factors into consideration, Justice Sannoh sentenced Kula Abu to 15 years of imprisonment, effective May 21, 2024. She will serve her sentence at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre in Kenema.
Abu was represented in court by defense counsels Patrick Kamara from the Legal Aid Board and Joseph Bandabla Dauda, while the prosecution was led by Andrew F. Kamara, a State and Customary Law Officer in the Kenema District.
# $105 Million Investment Secured to Enhance Livestock Sector
*By Joseph Momoh, Reporter*
The Government has secured a $105 million investment aimed at developing the country’s livestock sector, a crucial step toward achieving food security under President Maada Bio’s #FeedSalone initiative.
Signed on November 6, 2024, this funding will facilitate essential improvements in infrastructure, enhance local capacity, and address critical policy and market barriers to increase the sector’s productivity and competitiveness. The investment is co-sponsored by international partners, including the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Their support follows commitments made in June in Vienna to contribute to the mission of transforming food systems.
“The development of the livestock sector is a vital component of our Feed Salone program,” President Bio stated. “This project will not only increase our domestic food production but also strengthen our economy and build resilience against food insecurity.”
The initiative is expected to provide much-needed infrastructure upgrades, create jobs, and boost rural incomes by enhancing livestock productivity. With this project underway, significant strides toward self-sufficiency and sustainable growth in agriculture are anticipated, aligning with broader regional food security goals.
