By Alfred Munda SamForay
Preparations to receive the final remains of former Regent Chief, Sam Hinga Norman, from Senegal are well under way in Sierra Leone. Funeral committees have been formed in Freetown, Bo and Mongere in the Valunya Chiefdom, Bo District. The Registrar of the special court is yet to determine how long the proposed autopsy on the late Chief will take and when the body will be returned to Norman’s family in Sierra Leone. As such, travel plans by the family from various parts of the world are tentative as are the funeral programs. Teams of forensic pathologists representing the UN and the Norman family are expected in Senegal possibly some time next week to perform a court-mandated autopsy.
Following the autopsy, the body will be handed over to the family’s designated representative, former Vice President, Dr. Albert Joe Demby. Dr. Demby and another family member will join Norman’s eldest son, Sam Norman, Jr. and the family’s forensic pathologist in Dakar to take part in the autopsy. Meanwhile Norman family friend, confidant and former British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Chief Peter Penfold, has arrived in Sierra Leone to assist the family. It is expected that the body will lay for viewing at the home of Norman’s other children, Juliet Norman and Mohamed Jawara, to give the public in Freetown a chance to say farewell to the Late Chief. Following the rites of Christian burial and a public viewing at a location in Bo, members of the Kamajor, Poro, Wunde and allied societies will convey the body for burial at Mr. Norman’s family plot near Mongere.
The funeral programs do not include a state funeral or any other government sponsored activities, funding or participation in Freetown or Bo where the funeral itself will take place. Additionally, contributions from or on behalf of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) will not be accepted in accordance with Chief Norman’s instructions. Officials of the Sierra Leone government, the SLPP and the special court are strictly advised to give due diligence to the instructions of Mr. Norman and the wishes of the family as well as the customs and traditions of our people. This includes the prohibition of the transfer of Mr. Norman’s body to any person or group not designated for that purpose by the family or the Society of the Kamajors and allied societies.
Friends and well wishers in North America who wish to contribute to the funeral fund are directed to the SLAM account # 0047 - 7650 - 0267 at the Bank of America or mail to:
SLAM,
4222 Crystal Lane,
Garland, TX 75023,
ATTN: Mr. Reuben Ndomahina.
Information for those wishing to transfer funds via electronic means will be posted later today. Those in Europe or the UK are asked to contact Mr. Harold Saffa at 011-44-795-027-1429 or Ms. Florence Norman at 011-44-207-394-1397. Sierra Leone residents are to contact Dr. Joe Demby at 076-616555.
We will keep you informed of other developments as they become available.
With Kind Regards,
Alfred SamForay,
Hinga Norman-CDF Defence Fund
(812) 841 - 1000
Comments