By Richmond B. Tholley
An official driver attached to the Office of the Regional Coordinator of Free Quality Education in Northeast has been arrested and detained at Mena Police Station in Makeni for allegedly penetrating an underage girl who is also a school pupil.
Samuel Gbla was arrested a few days ago, and he has spent days in a police cell, according to the coordinator of the Family Support Unit in the Northeast region, ASP Abu Bakarr Kanu.
Gbla allegedly penetrated the girl multiple times around November 2024 without the notice of the mother. In December 2024, the mother learned about the incident and reported the matter on December 20th.
Even when the matter was reported, there was alleged interference into the matter by the regional coordinator of Free Quality Education in the region. According to the mother of the victim, Abu Bakarr Jalloh threatened the family and bragged that nothing would happen, thereby preventing his driver from facing justice.
However, the driver was recently arrested after publications by this medium and following a press release from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education.
According to the FSU Coordinator in the Northeast region, the police are investigating, gathering information, and collecting evidence so far. Very soon, Kanu said they would send the files to State Counsel for his legal advice on the matter.
The public is eagerly waiting for the outcome of the investigation not only because the alleged perpetrator is a staff member of the education ministry but also because the man coordinating Free Quality Education in the region and who is supposed to complement the efforts of the government is alleged to have tampered with the investigation and interfered in the matter.
In its official statement, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Schools Education has condemned the act and promises to institute an internal investigation.