LUC Fambulleh addressed the aspirants at Tunkia Chiefdom in Kenema District

By Emma Black

The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) ensured a secure and orderly environment at the Paramount Chieftaincy declaration ceremony for Tunkia Chiefdom in Kenema District, where three of thirteen aspirants were disqualified during the vetting process, on May 2025 the ceremony, a pivotal step toward the upcoming election, was conducted peacefully under the watchful eyes of regional and local authorities.

The event was officially supervised by Mr. Bangura, the Eastern Region Provincial Secretary; Chief Superintendent Alphonso Abdul Fambulleh, the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of Kenema Division; two assessor Chives; representatives from the electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL); a local government official; and traditional authorities from Tunkia chiefdom.

Before the vetting began, LUC Fambulleh addressed the aspirants, emphasizing the importance of meeting the legal requirements outlined in the Chieftaincy Act. He urged those who might be disqualified to seek redress through appropriate legal channels if they wished to contest the decision.

Out of the thirteen candidates who presented their claims, three were disqualified for failing to adequately defend their eligibility as required by law. The disqualified aspirants are Usman Gohier Sama (Gohier Sama ruling house, Gorahun section), Mohamed S. Dugba Taimeh (Taimeh ruling house, Kuawoma section), Md. Haja Hawa Koroma Deweogbo (Deweogbo ruling house, Tanhiahun section)

The remaining ten candidates were validated and cleared to proceed to the next stage of the chieftaincy process. The approved candidates are, Alhaji Usman Koroma Leylema (Leylema house, Daru), Alhaji Shuaibu Koroma Bono (Bono house, Bono), Jammeh Guya Sama (Guya house, Gegbwema), Chief Foday Agbeh Kamara (Deweogbo house, Tanhiahun), Patrick Sombie Sama (Sombie Sama house, Sombie Sama), Jackson Brima Kowa Sama (Kowa Sama house, Gorahun), Md. Fatmata Javombo (Javombo house, Javombo), Sama Vandi Sama Taimeh (Taimeh house, Kuawoma), Amara Jobo Watta Goway Sama (Goway Sama house, Gorahun) and Mohamed Saffa Akowa Hanby Sama (Hanby Sama house)

The disqualifications have underscored the importance of adhering to eligibility standards and ensuring transparency in the chieftaincy selection process, the provincial secretary highlighted that maintaining the integrity of traditional leadership requires strict compliance with the legal frameworks governing such transitions.

With the declaration ceremony now complete, the paramount chieftaincy election is officially set for May 17, 2025, in Gorahun Town, Tunkia Chiefdom, Kenema District.

The entire process was conducted without incident, and the ceremony concluded with jubilation as community members expressed their satisfaction with the peaceful and transparent proceedings.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 7th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)