Lawyers representing the Independent Media Commission (IMC) appeared at the High Court in Freetown on Tuesday on a motion challenging the interim stay granted to the Awareness Times newspaper, following the suspension of its registration by the IMC.
The lead counsel, Chrispin Fio Edwards argued before Justice Abdulai Charm that the Interim Order for a stay of execution of the IMC suspension of Awareness Times newspaper “be set aside for irregularity” because the proper procedure for challenging IMC decisions was not followed.
The lawyers also applied for an interim injunction restraining the Awareness Times from publishing until the “hearing and determination of this
action.” They referred Justice Charm to section 22 of the IMC act which spells out the procedures for appeal, against decisions of the commission.
The judge adjourned the matter for a full hearing on Thursday 4th Oct.
The IMC last week suspended the licenses of three newspapers and fined them Le 2 million each for breach of its code of practise. However while Independent Observer respected the ban, Awareness Times and The Senator continued to publish arguing that the commission breached its own procedures before imposing a suspension.
