By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
Seven Paramount Chiefs from the three provincial regions of Sierra Leone last week met in Blama in Small Bo Chiefdom, Kenema District to brief the people on their findings on allegations made by the Paramount Chief of Langurama Prince Mambu Pewa that his colleague chief of Small Bo Dhaffie Benya V attempted to kill him with a charm.
National President of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Charles Caulker said they were in Blama to represent the 149 paramount chiefs across the country on the matter and that they had conducted their investigations independently and were convinced that Benya did no wrong to Pewa. "We have told Pewa that he has done damage to Benya and we have also proven that Benya did nothing, so Chief Pewa needs to apologise".
He said Pewa had pleaded for forgiveness in a meeting initially held in Kenema and that they would continue to talk to Benya to withdraw his police complaint against him.
Regional Chairman, East, PC. Fasuluku II, who chaired the meeting applauded the Chiefdom people for the large turnout at the meeting. He said that as Paramount Chiefs it was part of their mandate to settle disputes among their members.
He assured the people that the accusation against their chief by Chief Pewa was not true and that they were pleading with the Chiefdom people to forgive Pewa in the interest of peace.
Northern Region Chairman, PC Bai Shebora Kasangna II said the people of Blama were blessed to have "a good leader like Benya" who cares for them. He said they must trust their findings that their chief was innocent of the allegations made against him by Chief Pewa.
Southern Region Chairman, PC Macavoray called for unity to prevail between the people of Small Bo and those of Langurama. He said they had planned to visit Pewa and his people on the same issue.
He said the allegation against Benya was frustrating, especially when they had investigated it to be false.
‘’Your chief is very decent and the allegation against him is false’’ he said, adding ‘’we also want to beg you to forgive chief Pewa’’
Chiefdom speaker of Small Bo, Mambu Moiwai said his people would not turn down the respect given them by the paramount chiefs.
He said the allegation was deliberate and intended to tarnish "the good reputation" of their chief. He said they had demanded to see the said charm from Chief Pewa since it was allegedly planted in the Small Bo chiefdom.
Moiwai said they had accepted the apology from the Paramount Chiefs since they were confident their chief was innocent of the allegation. "We shall continue to trust our chief. He is not that type who plots to destroy life" he said.
Dhaffie Benya admitted that his colleague chiefs had initially pleaded with him to drop the charges in the interest of coexistence, but that he had also told them to allow him consult his chiefdom people which he had done.
He maintained his innocence and swore by hell if he ever had such a plan.
He lauded the efforts of his colleague chiefs and assured them of cooperating with their decision.
Benya said he reported Pewa to the police to allow independent investigation into the matter. He said he had intended to pursue the matter, but in the interest of the intervention of the chiefs, he would reconsider.
He thanked his people for appreciating the decision of the Paramount and his colleague chiefs for their investigation.
When contacted PC Prince Pewa said he was aware of the visit of the paramount chiefs to Small Bo Chiefdom and their decision. He said the conflict between him and Benya was finally resolved in the office of the District Officer where it was agreed that the Paramount Chiefs were to visit Blama and Langurama.
(C) Politico 11/03/14
