Tribal Head Testifies in Bumpe Ngao Chieftaincy Elections Case

Freetown, Sierra Leone – On January 30, 2024, Joseph Kobba, a tribal head of Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom, testified before Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda of the High Court in the ongoing petition case against the purported election of Alfred Sovula and two others. This civil matter, under Section 13 of the Chieftaincy Act, involves the petition of the election result of Alfred Sovula Gbandoma as Paramount Chief of Bumpe Gao Chiefdom, Bo District. The petitioner, Sakpa Jibao Gbekpa, has named the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) as the first respondent, the Provincial Secretary as the second respondent, and Alfred Sovula as the third respondent.

The first witness for the petitioner, Joseph Kobba, stated that he is a tribal head, farmer, and resident of Bumpe Gao Chiefdom. Led in evidence by lawyer BJ Reffle, Kobba also identified himself as an elder and tribal authority of the Chiefdom. He confirmed making a witness statement to his lawyer, dated January 21, 2025, which was admitted as part of the case.

Kobba testified that he knows the petitioner, Moses Sakpa Gbekpa, as the grandson of their late Paramount Chief Francis Kposowa. He mentioned that he came to know the third defendant, Sovula, on the day of their declaration. Kobba stated that he objected to Sovula’s claim of being from a ruling house, supported by Madam Irene Labor, who also confirmed that Sovula is not from a ruling family. The objection was made to the Senior District Officer (SDO), the Provincial Secretary, the senior clerk, local government officials, and others.

Lawyer Cummings, representing ECSL, objected to parts of Kobba’s evidence, stating that some of his statements were not included in his witness statement. However, the judge granted the application to include additional names and issues not specifically mentioned in the witness statement.

Kobba continued his testimony, stating that the name Gbandoma was never associated with a ruling house in Bumpe Gao. He added that after their objection, the SDO asked them to stand down for 15 minutes, but the decision was not put to a vote. Kobba provided a historical account of the Paramount Chiefs of Bumpe Gao Chiefdom, emphasizing that the Gbandomas were never Paramount Chiefs.

During cross-examination by lawyer Cummings, Kobba confirmed that his name was on the gazette. He also stated that Irene Labor was a taxpayer but could not confirm if her name was in the gazette.

Lawyer Saccoh, representing the third defendant, questioned Kobba about the declaration of rights meeting, during which Irene Labor first objected to Sovula’s declaration. Kobba revealed that the gazette is reviewed every three years and that three assessor chiefs were present during the declaration.

In further cross-examination by lawyer Alie, representing the Provincial Secretary, Kobba explained that a Paramount Chief must come from a ruling house. He stated that three elections had been conducted in Bumpe Gao Chiefdom since his birth in 1957, with the Kposowa, Kpaka, and Kobba families contesting in 1973. Kobba confirmed that after the declaration of right, the box is given to the candidate.

In re-examination by lawyer BJ Reffle, Kobba reiterated that the Gbandomas were never from a ruling house. Lawyer Reffle informed the court that he intends to tender a video as evidence on the next adjourned date.

The matter was adjourned to Monday, February 3, 2025, for further hearing.

By Fatima Kpaka

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