The former presidential candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Dr Samura Kamara has said that he is ready to defend himself in the court after he wascharged with two counts by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) concerning the New York Chancery building repairs.

He said since the Africanist Press reported the matter that between 2019 and 2021 this government remitted $4 million for the repairs, the ACC started the investigation and they said they will go as far back as when the project started. This he said they did and he was interviewed several times on the procurement until he has been charged.

“I will be going to court on the 14th December after the matter has been postponed from Friday 10th December. Since I started my career in the past 40 years I have been very modest, worjing in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone and nobody has ever suspected me of corruption, since working in the international insitutions and the government of Sierra Leone. Nobody will be able to bring me down or destroy my hard earn reputation.”

Dr Samura Kamara averred that the main crux of the matter that was reported by the Africanist Press that when this government took office about $4 miilion was withdrawn for the Chancery building but nothing was done.

He said until now no word has been heard about that money and it has been reported that someone has started paying $100,000.

“I believe that my charge is politically motivated as they want to slow me down in my pursuit for the candidacy of the APC again for the 2023 general elections. My charges I amyet to understand and I just hope that the matter will be done speedily so that I will be able to pursue my dream in saving this nation.”

The former presidential candidate said one big problem Sierra Leone is going through is the interference of the government into many institutions that should be neutral in doing their job. He said many problems today in the country is because these institutions are compromised and they work on instructions or orders from above, which is not good for the development of the country.

“My 40 years of working with different governments in this country has been successful and has given me huge wealth of experience to change the face of Sierra Leone. I have the experience and support from the populace and I am optimistic that the flag bearership of the APC I will win and then win the 2023 general elections because of my reputation and past work I have done.”

He called on the ACC to make sure that they work in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone and nmot the SLPP government because they will not be in office forever. He said posterity will judge all of them including himself and that the people will judge in the future.

According to a statement issued by the ACC, Saidu Nallo – Head of Chancery of Sierra Leone’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, Foday Vahfomba Bawoh – former Financial Attache of Sierra Leone’s Mission to the United Nations in New York, Adikalie Foday Suma – former Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone’s Mission to the United Nations, Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara – former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), Dr. Kandeh Foday Basil Kamara – Financial Attache of Sierra Leone’s Mission to the United Nations in New York, and Jules Sanders Davis – an American Citizen and agent/contractor of the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on Forty Eight counts of corruption offences bordering on Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedures and Guidelines relating to procurement, the management of funds, contrary to Section 48(2)(b), Misappropriation of Public Funds, contrary to Section 36(1), Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1), Fraudulent Acquisition of a Benefit, contrary to Section 48(1)(a), Knowingly Deceiving a Principal, contrary to Section 40(3), and Conspiracy to commit a Corruption offence, contrary to Section 128, of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12, of 2008 as Amended in 2019 respectively.