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The former Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura, has vehemently denied allegations linking him to a corruption scandal involving former Youth Envoy Yulisa Ahmadu and Amy Berry.
The controversy arose when Amy Berry accused Bangura of receiving money from Yulisa in exchange for facilitating travel arrangements through illegal means. Reports indicate that Ahmadu allegedly collected over $400,000 by assisting individuals without official documents to travel, yet many victims did not receive visas or travel opportunities.
Bangura countered those claims, asserting that the decision to dismiss Yulisa was made in January. He maintained that he has no connection with Amy Berry and expressed surprise upon learning of the allegations through a recent social media video. In her video, Berry claimed that she provided funds to Yulisa, suggesting complicity between the two men.
“I have traveled with over a hundred young people out of Sierra Leone, ensuring that they received visas and tickets through legitimate means,” Bangura stated, questioning the logic behind allegedly soliciting money from Yulisa.
The former minister recounted a conversation with Yulisa following Berry’s accusations. He claimed Yulisa dismissed the allegations, suggesting they were an act of revenge, given Bangura’s frustrations over Yulisa’s previous misconduct.
Bangura confirmed that he reached out to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where he said he was informed that Berry had filed an official report. Notably, Bangura mentioned that Berry did not indicate any involvement from the Ministry of Youth Affairs or its ministers in the report.
In light of the allegations, Bangura urged Berry to retract her video unless she possesses substantial evidence for her claims. He expressed a willingness to confront the matter legally if necessary, stating, “If she has proof to support her official complaint to the CID, let her stand by her allegation.”
This ongoing situation highlights serious concerns regarding transparency and accountability within the Ministry of Youth Affairs and emphasized the need for due process in addressing corruption allegations.
