A report has disclosed that the Former Deputy Minister 2 at the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Patricia Laverley is in police custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for assaulting the sitting Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mrs. Nabeela Tunis.

In a publication from the Satellite Newspaper, it was reported that Dr. Laverley on Tuesday 12th November 2024, at State House slapped Madam Nabeela Tunis, Minster of Tourism and Culture.

The report states that the unfortunate incident was done in the presence of the Inspector General of Police, Willian Fayia Sellu.

Dr. Laverley was immediately invited at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Freetown, where she was detained for questioning.

According to the publication, a reliable sources at the seat of power disclosed that the former Deputy Minister (2) and the Minister of Tourism had an altercation over Sugar Loaf Land leased at the Lumley Beach, which is under the minister’s purview.

The sources added that the erstwhile Deputy Minister took umbrage at the disagreement between her and the Tourism Minister, which resulted in Dr. Patricia Laverley uncouth tendency to slap Mrs. Nabeela F Tunis.

Some high-profile personalities in government, who witnessed the ugly scene, averred that Minister Nabeela Tunis needs to be respected and highly protected from hoodlums and anti-state elements in her indefatigable quest for national service delivery.

A source from Cabinet intimated that the Minister of Tourism is acting on Cabinet approval to reclaim all state leased lands and properties attractive to tourists in the country.

They commended the sitting minister for prioritizing her state functions as prescribed by the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone without any bias or favoritism.

It has been confirmed that the police will press charges against the former minister that travelled from Kenya to explain herself to President Julius Maada Bio on the land issue at Sugar Loaf. She was scheduled to return to Kenya yesterday