Dear Tech,

I know how baffled you were on hearing about the arrest of Omrie Golley, former self-appointed RUF spokesman. And then you became more baffled when he was charged with treason... Despite Golley having publicly associated himself with the RUF, we know how RUF leader Foday Sankoh also publicly denied and disowned him. Golley was never a real part of the RUF. He merely assumed the position of spokesman in a bid to make people believe that the rebel group had objectives, he had claimed at one time. Golley is not capable of killing a fly, TECH. NO WONDER THE UN CHIEF IS NOW RAISING THE STAKES FOR HIS TRIAL

WILL KABBAH LISTEN AT ALL

From day one, I have suspected that the government was only trying to take revenge on an otherwise innocent bloke whose patriotism was overzealous. Rebel collaboration aside, everyone should accept that Golley is a really brilliant fellow, a brain that Sierra Leone should be proud of. But just imagine the way the guy has been treated in a case where he should be presumed to be innocent until found guilty. President Kabbah himself had made a statement about the alleged Golley plot even before we could hear from the police; so how do you think justice will prevail in a system where all the judges are at the mercy of the self-same president?

But thank God, Kofi Annan has at least spoken, expressing concern about this fallacy of a trial in your banana republic. This is what Annan said: "The high profile criminal case against Omrey Golley, the former spokesman of RUF who has been charged with treason, continues to elicit local and international attention. The frequent adjournments and delays of these proceedings raised concerns regarding the rights of the accused. Following an intervention by UNIOSIL, the conditions of Mr. Golley's detention improved; however, his poor and deteriorating health remains a matter of serious concern."

But will Kabbah listen at all? Remember how he influenced the imprisonment of journalist Paul Kamara, and, even when the whole world spoke, the man spent a couple of years in prison before he was released. All I can say is that the stakes have been raised in Golley's case, and we have not seen the last of it.

BIG JOB FOR REPARATIONS CONFAB

TECH, have you ever heard of a Herculean task? Well, it is what some Africans have now set themselves to do. Tomorrow, Monday 25^th September 2006, a group of Africans are meeting in your country, in fact in your alma mater, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, in Freetown, to chart a way as to bringing the West (did you hear that? The West) meaning, the almighty USA and Europe, to trial for reparations for, as they put it, “the theft and plunder of Africa's resources and other crimes committed against Africans during the last 500 years.” In other words, Tech, these people are saying that Western countries should pay Africans for the Slave Trade and Colonialism, among other things.

I don't want to be cynical, but this is a hugely onerous task. Indeed the organizers of the conference say they have support all over the world, and that a series of meetings have been going on in preparation for a big conference to be held in Germany some time in 2007. But TECH I must be honest with you, I have many reservations. I have not heard a single African leader trumpeting this call. And, amidst Africa's current dependence on the same West for her survival in terms of aid and donor through western institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, how is this really achievable in the foreseeable future? And why even hold the so-called big conference in Germany and not in Africa?

But, Tech, don't get me wrong. I personally support this move. I want the wrongs done to Africa to be at least compensated for (because, as you know, no one can really pay for the slave trade and colonialism. Who would bring back all those precious lives lost at sea and in the cold working in plantations, or who would know where all the gold, diamond, iron ore, bauxite etc. etc are stashed away in Europe anyway?). I have to acknowledge however that, as things stand at the moment, we'll just keep crying until God Himself intervenes to let the west's conscience be pricked to know that what was done was not really in anybody's interest. A disgrace to humanity, I'll say when I look back to what the west did to Africa during the last 500 years.

CONDOLENCES

I don't have much to write today, Tech, because my heart is heavy. I send my condolences to the families, friends and relatives of Bishop Sam Bangura of the United Methodist Church, former Paramount Chief Madam Ella Koblo Gulama, and the 12 Nigerian military officers who lost their lives in a plane crash. Bishop Bangura was a fine gentleman who carried his ministry with integrity and dignity in Sierra Leone. Amidst a flurry of accusations levied against the church for not living up to expectations, he was one of those who proved that God can be served in humility. And the legendary Ella Koblo could well be described as having lived a life to the brim. She bestrode Sierra Leone politics since colonial times when she became Paramount Chief of Kaiyamba chiefdom and continued to do so until her death. She was the first woman ever to be elected to the House of Representatives and made Cabinet minister in Sierra Leone. No matter how dubious the role of the Nigerian military might have been in the Sierra Leone war, especially during the reign of the late General Sanni Abacha, we cannot deny that they assisted in – at least in the end – stabilize matters in the country. Therefore a friend in need is a fried indeed. So we sympathize with the Nigerians for the fatal plane crash that saw 8 Major Generals and 2 Brigadier Generals plus another two officers perishing rather so suddenly. My heart especially goes to General Nunu Bamali, who actually served in the Nigerian contingent of UNAMSIL as Sector West Commander in Sierra Leone. He was such a lovely gentleman. Please join me in sending condolences to his family and to say that we will remember them in our prayers in this their time of great trial.

I have many things on my mind, TECH, but I'll tell you some next week. For now, let's just mourn with the bereaved families.

Until then, have a TECHFUL time….