Child Trafficking… Parents Complain to Journalists
Biological parents in the on-going trial involving local Non-Governmental Organization, Help a Needy Child International (HANCI) have expressed resentment over the lackluster attitudes and inadequate coverage by court reporters towards the trials. The aggrieved parents stormed our ace reporter after last Friday’s proceedings and alleged that court reporters are suspected to have accepted hand-outs from HANCI officials to keep a sealed lip on the court proceeding with a view to keep the public and other interested parties in oblivion.
Abu Bakarr Kargbo, spokesman for the biological parent lamented that the media is expected to be pivotal in dispensing justice while keeping the public abreast with the ongoing trials. He disclosed that last Friday was the eighth appearance in court and on many instances, journalists would ignore their pleas for media coverage on the matter and in situations where interviews were obtained from aggrieved parents, there had hardly been any publication on it.
“Although the trials have attracted the attention of some international media organizations, we want our local communities and other interested people to be au fait with the proceedings as the outcome is expected to serve as a lesson and deterrent to such dastardly acts. “
It could be recalled that top officials of HANCI are standing trial before Magistrate Komba Kamanda of Magistrate Court number 2 upon the findings and recommendations of the Hon. Justice A Showers Commission of Inquiry.