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The Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Leon Jenkins-Johnston Esq. on Friday 18th October 2019, presented the Ombudsman's  Annual Report for 2018 and the first half of 2019 to His Excellency, Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio at State House. 

Presenting the report, Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston said that the Office of the Ombudsman was created by Sub Section 2, of Section 146 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991; to investigate any administrative action taken, or omitted to be taken by, or on behalf of any Government Ministry, Department, Agency (MDAs), including statutory corporation, institutions of Higher Learning including the Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Correctional Service, the Fire Force and institutions set up entirely or partly out of public funds.

Presentation to President

He noted that, with the promulgation of the Ombudsman Act No. 2 of 1997, the main purview of the Ombudsman is to investigate and take actions that would remedy injustices, occasioned by maladministration in government MDAs.

By Section 15 of the Ombudsman Act, he noted, he is required to prepare and submit to His Excellency the President, report on the activities of my office which Your Excellency shall cause to be laid before Parliament.

He stated that it is against this backdrop that, he is formally presenting his report to his Excellency, and noted that the report covers the period 1st January 2018 to 30th June, 2019.

Ombudsman Jenkins-Johnston revealed that from the 1st of January to 31st December, 2018 532 complaints were lodged with my office of which 330 were concluded.  From the 1st of January to the 30th June 2019, 355 complaints were lodged with my office of which 142 have been concluded with the remainder still being under investigation.

He stated that most of our investigations relate to individual complaints against MDAs and such complaints are often resolve by phone calls, visits to the MDAs and mediating between the parties.  However, he noted that in some instances the complaints could not be resolved unless by formal investigations where report on our findings together with recommendations for remedial actions are served on the heads of institutions and ministers concerned.

Annual Report Presentation

Responding, His Excellency the President Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio, thanked the Ombudsman for his selfless service to the People of Sierra Leone. President Bio said that as part of the government, the Ombudsman plays a vital role in ensuring that administrative Justice is applied fairly. He stated that the Country is going through tough times, but will ensure that the office gets what it deserves. President Bio thanked the Ombudsman and Staff and encouraged them to do more for the People of Sierra Leone.

 

CHRISTOPHER WALLACE-JOHNSON

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN  

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OMBUDSMAN PAYSThe Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah, Esq. has on Monday 29th January 2024, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance, Sheka Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura at his office at George Street.

Briefing the Minister and team, the Ombudsman said that his office is created by subsection 2 of section 146 of the 1991 Constitution. He explained the functions of his office by citing section 7 (1) of the Ombudsman Act of 1997. He further explained that his office is set out to "investigate any administrative act of a prescribed authority in respect of which-

(a) a complaint is made to him by any person who claims to have suffered Injustice as a result of Maladministration in connection with such act". He further noted that in the Ombudsman Act the term "Injustice" includes hardship, detriment occasioned by any inequitable treatment whether legally or otherwise.

Responding the Minister of Finance, Sheka Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, thanked the Ombudsman and team for the visit and knowledge share about his office. He noted that he himself was not aufeit with the functions of the office, but with the knowledge gained from the visit he is in a better position to ensure that the work of the Ombudsman is shared amongst staff members. He pledge his ministry's continued support to the office of the Ombudsman.

Communications Dept.

Office of the Ombudsman

076-945-926

 

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Ombudsman and Staff at IMC

In continuation, of his courtesy visit to various institutions in Freetown, the Ombudsman Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah Esq. has today Tuesday 30th January 2024, paid a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary and staff of the Independent Media Commission at the head office at Kissy house in Freetown.


Welcoming the Ombudsman and team, the Executive Secretary of the IMC Khalil Kallon, said that the visit of the Ombudsman is of importance as he is the first Ombudsman to have visited the office. He stated that the IMC is a media regulatory agency that provide for the registration, regulatory and complaint agency for media institutions in the country. He said that the IMC implements the policies from the board to media institutions around the country. He further stated that the Board of the IMC is made of various stakeholders ranging from journalist to civil society activist.


Making a statement the Ombudsman, Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah, Esq. said that the visit is part of the campaign and sensitization drive to spread the message and mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman. He noted that the drive is also geared towards projecting the work of his office. He maintained that the Office of the Ombudsman was borne out of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and it also sits perfectly within the Big Five 5 of the President’s manifesto promises in Revamping the Public Sector Architecture. 

He said that the office can intervene in any situation where people have suffered injustice occasioned by maladministration. He noted that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. He further noted that he is engaging authorities before any action is taken and this sensitization drive is part of the engagement with relevant stakeholders in the country.


He called on the Executive Secretary and Management staff to make other staff members aware of the various grievance redress mechanisms available to them in the workplace so that issues of injustice and maladministration are amicably settled.

Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

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The Ombudsman of the Republic of Sierra Leone Tejan Ahmed Israel Jah, Esq. in continuation of his Courtesy visits to Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Statutory Institutions has paid a visit to the Acting Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Hon. Mr. Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke at his Office at the Law Courts Building in Freetown.

Ombudsman Staff and Chief Justice
The Ombudsman congratulated Justice Browne-Marke on his appointment as Acting Chief Justice. He noted that the Office of the Ombudsman has a good working relationship with the Judiciary and has been a good partner in the fight against injustice occasioned by Maladministration. He noted that the office regularly receives complaint from members of the public on issues relating to the attitude of court officers, the absence of Magistrates and Judges in some Judicial Districts, the long periods inmates take in remand without trial, delays in court sittings by Magistrates and Judges, etc.


In response, the Acting Chief Justice said that the Judiciary has had a long standing relationship with the Ombudsman’s Office and that they have always been supportive of the office. He noted that the Judiciary has been working to decongest the Correctional Centers around the Country, as the care for detainees is the primary concern for the Judiciary.


Justice Browne-Marke, noted that the Judicial week was introduced to ensure that detainees do not stay longer in detention without trial. He further noted that the Judiciary is taking steps to cure its deficiencies. He told the Ombudsman that they are currently working to introduce suspended sentences as against custodial sentences. He noted that the Judiciary is working toward creating fairness for all. He pledged the Judiciary’s continued support and collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman.


Communications Dept.
Office of the Ombudsman
076-945-926

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