Parliament Summons Chief of Defence Staff & Basic Education Minister Over Land Dispute
By Desmond Isaac Macauley
Parliament has summoned the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, and the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey over a controversial attempt to take over land belonging to the Services Secondary School.
The summons was issued on July 10th, 2025, by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, following a resolution by Members of Parliament. The matter concerns plan allegedly made by the CDS to demolish property on the school’s land and allocate it to a private businessman for commercial use.
Raising the issue under Standing Order 23, Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma strongly condemned the move, describing it as a deliberate attack on the government’s flagship Human Capital Development initiative, which includes the Free Quality Education programme.
He warned that such actions directly threaten the integrity and future of public learning institutions, stressing that Parliament must protect these assets at all costs. He described the actions of the CDS as a calculated insult to both the House and the President’s vision for education.
Hon. Koroma urged the House to establish a Special Interest Committee to investigate the matter thoroughly. He emphasized that handing over school land to private interests undermines national development and sets a dangerous precedent.
He reiterated that Parliament must act decisively to protect the Services Secondary School and ensure that no institution or individual is above the law.
In response, Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh acknowledged the gravity of the situation and appealed for calm. He proposed that the relevant Committees on Defence, Education, and Lands be allowed to investigate the issue. He further directed the Clerk of Parliament to officially summon the Chief of Defence Staff to appear before Parliament for questioning on the matter.
