The Paramount Chief of Lower Banta Chiefdom Moyamba District, PC John Jibao Russell Nyama ll is set to resume his paramount chieftaincy seat after several years of leadership mislaid in his Chiefdom. The return of PC Russell to his Chiefdom is triggered by the unflinching calls of his subjects including the youth for central command and leadership.

He will be accompanied by state security including the Internal Affairs Minister, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, AIGP, and other senior government officials to hand him over to his people, an occasion set to take place at the Chiefdom headquarter town of Gbangbatoke Court baray on the 15th February, 2024.

“I have no bad feelings against anyone, I am coming to facilitate in the movement of Lower Banta from where it is to the apex of development and this is a collective responsibility of us all as indigenes of Lower Banta” PC John Jibao Russell Nyama ll told Sierraloaded in a phone call.

All necessary arrangements and informed consents of Chiefdom authorities, security sector, and youth Councils have been reached respectively, and are willingly in readiness to welcome their Paramount Chief back home.

This is the first officially announced visit of PC Russell since 2018 when he was asked by the Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to move away from his Chiefdom due to allegations purported against him including misappropriation of Chiefdom funds, unlawful removal of sub-chiefs by some certain set of people and the tension of the riots that erupted by youths in the Chiefdom at that time. No central command including the care takes have been successful in the absence of PC Russell to date.

It can be recall that on Thursday 30th June 2022, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Amb. Tamba Lamina during the handing over of the administrative investigation report and recommendation from the government to PC Russell on the said matter, openly announced to Residents of Lower Banta Chiefdom and other Government stakeholders that PC John Jibao Russell Nyama ll has been recommended by the Government to return back to his Chiefdom after PC Russell shows sign of remorse and ask for forgiveness from his people.

PC Russell should have return back to his chiefdom within three weeks’ time after this announcement and the return to be coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, but few years down the line until finally when the ministry has decided to do so.