By Dadson A. Musa

In a matter that has dragged on for so long, the high court, presided over by Justice Mohamed Bawoh has reached a verdict. The contentious issue has been the overstaying of Alpha Amadu Bah as President of the Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union.

“He had run two terms as president and won and so has no business running again,” Daddy Bock, the New London Lorry Park chairman said. Abu Saidu alias Abu White was represented by Ngakui and Partners law firm while I. Tommy represented Alpha Amadu Bah.  The issue at hand was the election conducted on the 23^rd July 2019 by the Ministry of Labour which saw the plaintiff, Alpha Amadu Bah winning and this “default election came after he had run the required two terms of the union.” So Abu Saidu alias Abu White who is a major stakeholder in the transport business and who owns fleet of vehicles never countenanced this and saw the move as unjust. So the ruling which was given by the high court, presided over by Justice Tonia Barnet (Mrs.) installing Alpha Amadu Bah has been declared “null and void” on the 9^th April 2024.

Furthermore, Justice Mohamed Bawoh acting as the presiding on 9^th April 2024 ordered further as follows:

That an interim body be appointed by the Ministry of Labour and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress to man the day to day activities of the union until the election is conducted on the 23^rd July 2024.

That an interlocutory injunction restraining the plaintiff and the National Executive Council whether by themselves, servants, agents, assigns from performing their respective functions pending the election set out in Order 2.

That the defendant gives financial report to the said interim body covering the period he has not being paying dues collected from the Bo lorry park to union’s account.

That the interim body constitute a subcommittee to audit the financial report by the defendant in order 4.

That the defendant pays all dues – membership dues covering the period of this action or for such time as he has not paid, or if paid already to update the interim body of the said payment.

And costs to the defendant – to be agreed by the 2 counsel failing which this court or the Master and Registrar to determine the cost.

To this judgement, lawyers for Abu Saidu alias Abu White have written a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour copying the Minister; Registrar of the ministry; President, Sierra Leone Labour Congress and secretary general. This is to ensure that the court order is followed to the letter. The interim executive body is being formed now as per court order.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Thursday, April 18th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)