Activist Edmond Abu Calls On Speaker To Lift Ban On Melvin Mansaray
Aaron Parker Popular activist and Co-Chair of the Parliament and Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Network, Edmond Abu, has appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Solomon Segehpoh Thomas, to lift the ban preventing journalist Melvin T. Mansaray from accessing the Press Gallery in Parliament.
In a statement, Abu said he was joining the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in appealing for Mansaray to be allowed to return to the Press Gallery.
“Mr Speaker, as the Co-Chair for Parliament & CSO Network, let me join the SLAJ Prexy to appeal for the lifting of the ban on Melvin T. Mansaray to return back to the Press Gallery in Parliament. We are not putting up any argument but to appeal,” Abu stated.
The ban was imposed on January 10, 2025, by the Speaker of Parliament following allegations of what was described as “insulting conduct” by the journalist.
Mansaray was subsequently summoned for contempt of Parliament over remarks he made on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, which were deemed to have tarnished the image and dignity of the legislative institution.
During the hearing, Mansaray expressed remorse for his comments and formally apologised, including reading a written apology before the Committee.
“On the consideration that the Honourable Speaker and some Members of Parliament have felt aggrieved, I hereby profusely tender my unreserved apology and undertake to withdraw my statement publicly,” Mansaray said.
Following his apology and commitment to retract the statements, the Committee decided not to pursue the matter further and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.
Abu’s latest appeal is therefore seeking the lifting of the existing ban to allow Mansaray to resume coverage of parliamentary proceedings from the Press Gallery.