Post a comment 
The Chief Executive Officer of Accord Logistics, Johny Kouza, has been cautioned by the Parliament of Sierra Leone following his appearance before the House over what lawmakers described as contemptuous conduct toward the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry.
Kouza was summoned to the Bar of Parliament, where the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, reprimanded him for failing to show due respect to the Committee and to Parliament as an institution. The Speaker warned that such conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Addressing the CEO, the Speaker emphasized that failure to honour the summons of any Standing Committee amounts to contempt of Parliament, which is a serious offence punishable under the law. He further stressed that Parliament has the constitutional authority to order the detention of any individual who refuses to comply with its directives.
The caution followed a formal complaint from the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, who accused Kouza of showing disrespect to the Committee during its proceedings.
“This is your first and final warning,” the Speaker declared. “If you ever appear before this Parliament again for contempt, you will be imprisoned. We will not tolerate any form of disrespect toward this institution.”
The Speaker said the firm stance reflects Parliament’s commitment to safeguarding its authority, integrity, and dignity, and ensuring that all individuals and institutions—regardless of status—respect its processes and procedures.
Reacting to the development, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, commended the Speaker for what he described as a bold and necessary action in “naming and shaming” the CEO of Accord Logistics. He also urged the Speaker to apply the same standard to officials of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) who fail to honour parliamentary summons.
The incident underscores the importance of cooperation between Parliament and both public and private institutions in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HfX2G7wcq/
