Police attached to Kenema police Division have on Wednesday 22nd December 2021 charged to court Edward Kargbo and Abibatu Kargbo all of 20 F. line Nyadeyama Section in Kenema on two counts.

According to the particulars of offence, both Edward Kargbo and Abibatu Kargbo were on the 21st December 2021 arrested and brought to the police station for census related offences.

Preliminary investigation proves that Edward Kargbo and Abibatu Kargbo who are a couple living together, have been investigated and charged to court on two counts of failing to answer question (s) from the census officer (Enumerator) contrary to Section 21(3)(a) of Statistics Act No. 13 of 2002 and obstructing the work of Statistic officer (Enumerator) contrary to Section 21(3)(b) of Statistics Act No 13 of 2002.

According to Awareness Times, The Statistics Act was passed in Parliament on 12th September 2002 by APC party MPs led by the then Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma, by PLP MPs led by the then Hon. Johnny Paul Koroma and by SLPP MPs led by the then Hon. S.B. Marah. It was assented to by the then Head of State H.E. Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah on 25th October 2002.

The said Act says that if someone is found GUILTY of the offenses under Section 21, the person will face up to 6 months imprisonment as stipulated by the Act.

The Act, under Section 21(4) also says anyone convicted and sentenced under the Act still has to answer the questions for which he had failed to answer that caused his conviction. If he fails to answer the question, he commits a further offense and will be penalized accordingly over and over and over again until the person answers the question.