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The Sierra Leone’s Court of Appeal in Freetown, on December 7th, 2023 affirmed the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) report against former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and his ex-Finance Minister, Dr. Samura Kamara and court delivered a final judgment with substantial penalties on Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and Dr. Samura Kamara.
The COI, initiated by President Julius Maada Bio in 2018, focused on scrutinizing the activities of past government officials, particularly the eleven years of the All People’s Congress administration. The Commissioners—Justice Biobele Georgewill, the late Justice Bankole Thomposn, and Justice William Annan Atuguba—presented their findings, implicating certain officials, including former President Koroma and some ministers.
Challenging the findings after the government’s White Paper release, the former officials sought redress at the Court of Appeal. Despite their appeals, the Court upheld the Commissioners’ decision concerning Former Presidents Koroma and Samura Kamara’s COI applications related to the Sewa Ground Market and the Sierra Rutile saga, respectively.
During the court hearing, a directive was also issued for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate Former President Koroma for alleged abuse of office and executive authority, specifically related to the Sewa Ground Market Project with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT). Likewise, Dr. Samura Kamara was under investigation concerning the Sierra Rutile Company dealings.
The court rejection of all four grounds of the COI appeal marked a setback for the duo, with the Presiding Judges Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens, Justice Adrian Fisher, and Justice Ivan Sesay dismissing their applications.
Former President Koroma, represented by Lawyers Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, Africanus Sorie Sesay, and Brima Koroma, faced an adverse judgment. The Court has delivered a final judgment by directed the former president Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma to pay $135,000 to the Government of Sierra Leone within seven days, along with bearing the cost of Le300 million (old Leones). Similarly, Dr. Samura Kamara, presently the leader of the APC, was directed to pay $75,000 and bear a cost of Le250 million (Old Leones).
This ruling signifies a crucial turn in the ongoing legal proceedings related to the COI, emphasizing the principles of accountability and transparency in governance. The decision underscores the gravity of the allegations against the former President and his Finance Minister.
This ruling sends a strong message about the rule of law and the commitment to hold public officials accountable for their actions, reinforcing the principles of justice and integrity in Sierra Leone’s governance.
Let us also be informed when they
pay and if they do not pay
Congratulations
What’s goes around comes around
Let’s the law take it’s cause
Hahaha 🤣
Do you want a share of the money..?
Ok oooh, what goes around comes around, wae den pay d moni duya leh salone benefit from am
What goes around surely comes around…..
Sure, you are right
Law offenders must be punished and ban from taking important office in the nation and international but hmmm people will take side not for the country interest may God bless Sierra Leone
na small money for them ….. una all na d same APC and SLPP… ar doubt if den get 4 pay da money dey sef…
Maada Bio’s PAOPA regime has set a very good President in this country. We the Poor Innocent Victims ( P I Vs) of this county are very happy to see this incident as a set Standard and as a Model in this country.
Thank you very much Maada Bio for setting this brilliant example. Sierra Leoneans must understand that….”Responsibility is Accountability ”
Politicians believe that “Sierra Leone is a Free farm.” for them and their families to harvest. This is the only country where the sum of Le 800 billion got missing from the Central Bank and nobody was guestioned about it.
Maada Bio, the people of Sierra Leone appreciate you for this wonderful Job done.
We the people of Sierra Leone are appealing to the Judiciary to Record this Excellent Presedent. That on Thursday the 7th day of December, 2023. ……
…….
Salone na country ooo
Transparency and accountability must be respected in order to ensure sustainable development in our be love country Sierra Leone. Good job Mr. President
Check your self before saying thief!!, because the throne you are will be for others tomorrow,but to crown it all is protection for we the masses
Right now evey boby is saying XYZ about everything. Bear in mind there are people currently serving in this current government doing worst things, from dipping and taking money directly from government, bribing and corruption to the highest standards. Let’s not talk about human rights violations and killings and all sorts of nasty things. Tomorrow when this table will turn and there is a change of government, and that government starts going after people that are involved, because as it is all individuals doing those things right now citizens of this country Sierra Leone knows them by face by name and by there activities who will be Saying something or crying faul ? Been that now someone or someone are happy of what is going on and taking place in this current administration. Let’s be mindful and understand that justice is not fully applied or been followed in the due process. And I believe they were all politically motivated and just to go at the opposition. Again in the mist of all this, time will tell one day and nothing last forever. If they are going after those that they claimed did all the wrong things during the Koroma’s administration with justice and fairness then that is OK with everyone because it is a fair play. But this current government are doing the worst, from thief to human rights violations to election rigging and all other things involved and people of this country are aware and knows, who will have to say XYZ tomorrow?