Mohamed Sheku Kamara, a staff  of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment  for conspiring and stealing over Le 6.5 billion from the EDSA.

On Thursday 4th August 2021, seven accused persons appeared before Justice Simeon Alieu at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Court of Freetown over alleged corruption related offenses with EDSA.

According to the ACC, Alimamy Sesay, Abioseh Ola Barnes, Musa Momoh Lahai and Hawa Y. Kamara misappropriated public revenue to the tune of over Le 6.5 billion with regards payments of cheques for postpaid electricity use made by EDSA by various high consuming institutions which they used the banking system to divert and convert to their own use through their personal account and conspiracy to commit the various corruption offences arising therefrom.

Initially, there were eight accused that were indicted by the ACC to have conspired and stole over Le 6.5 billion from the EDSA. But the principal accused Mohamed Sheku Kamara immediately pleaded guilty when the charges were put to him.

After his plea, he was later sentenced by Justice Alieu to ten years imprisonment or pay a fine of Le 100 million. And should also refund over Le3.5 billion, which was believed to have been stolen.

These accused are now being charged with wilful failure to comply with the applicable laws, procedure and guidelines relating to the management of public revenue as stipulated in Section 11 (3) and (4) of the Government Budgeting and Accountability Act No. 3 of 2005.

All seven of them, being staff of EDSA, face jointly two counts of failure to comply with the applicable laws, procedures and guidelines relating to management of public revenue.

According to the ACC Prosecutor M. Sow, as a result of certain development with lawyers for the 6,7 and 8 accused, he is seeking for an adjournment of the matter.

Lawyer Sow said when they come next in Court, he will inform the judge about the line of action being agreed by both parties.

As a result of that Justice Alieu adjourned the matter to Wednesday 11th July 2021.