The Court of Appeal Judge appointed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Honourable Justice Alhaji Mohamed Momoh-Jah Stevens, has commenced investigation into an allegation of incitement and breach of ethics and self regulation involving the Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, PC Alimamy Bockarie Yellan Koroma.

The Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom was suspended by the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba J.S. Lamina on 7th August, 2023 pursuant to Sections 19-21 of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009. The suspended Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom made his first appearance on 8th November, 2023 before the Commission of Inquiry set up by the President.

The state was represented by Lawyers E. Sarkoh and T.J. Freeman. Paramount Chief Alimamy B.Y. Koroma said that even though he is aware of soliciting the service of a Lawyer, he has no intention to solicit any Lawyer.

Addressing the Court on behalf of the state, E.Sarkoh said the matter before the Court is an inquiry into an allegation of Incitement and Breach of Ethics and Self Regulation by the Paramount Chief Alimamy Bockarie Alie Yellan Koroma.

“This inquiry has already been gazetted and of course, there is a representative from the Government Printing Office who is very pleased to present same to this Tribunal,” said Lawyer Sarkoh, adding that, “in addition to that, a Secretariat has been set up with the appointment of Administrative Officers to serve in this Commission.”

An official presentation of the gazette was done under Oath, sworn to the Holy Bible by Alishia Lebbie.

“I am working at the Government Printing Department. I am familiar with the Sierra Leone Gazette published on the 2nd November 2023. In that Notice, we published Gazette No.70 Government Notice No.284,” said Alishia.

In his address, the Sole Commissioner Honourable Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens explained that the Commission of Inquiry was set up by the President of Sierra Leone to investigate allegation of Incitement and Breach of Ethics and Self-Regulation and Gross Misconduct.

He assured that the Commission of Inquiry shall be conducted impartially without favour.

On his second appearance, on 13th November, 2023, the State introduced their case and the allegations were put forward to the Paramount Chief who pleaded guilty to all the charges brought against him by the State.

Paramount Chief Alimamy B.Y. Koroma used the opportunity to apologize to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the Government and people, indigenes of the Dansogoia Chiefdom and the Sole Commissioner, Honourable Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens for what he described as “unfortunate behavior.”

“I’m profusely sorry,” he said.

The Commission of Inquiry has ended as Honourable Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens will present his report to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who will then accept or reject the recommendations in the Report.

Credit:  Judiciary Communications