Pres. Bio warns Govt. officials
At the closing of the Commission of Enquiry, on 25 March 2020 President Julius Maada Bio has warned serving official of his government not to betray public trust.
“As I have maintained before, this must be the last Commission of Inquiry in our history. As a nation, we should have learned and applied the singular lesson from these commission that persons who hold the public trust must serve honestly, justly, fairly, and diligently; and that as a country, we must put an end to a culture of rampant thieving, abuse, waste, and impunity. Therefore, these commissions should serve as a warning and a deterrent to serving officials.
“As the Attorney General and Minister of Justice has stated, the Commissions of Inquiry looked at three key issues: governance processes, assets, and forensic audits. The forensic audits tracked fraudulent activities within entire chains of governance. The commission on assets examined disparities between income or means and assets. The Commission on governance processes looked at inefficiencies and deficits in governance especially where people deliberately misused or took advantage of state institutions,” he said.
While making his remarks at the Special Court Complex, Jomo Kenyatta Road, Freetown, the president noted that in the spite of partisan wrangling of legal instrument and the legitimacy of the COI, the president Bio there has been no reports of public humiliations, lynching, and tribal wars as the political prophets of doom had boldly predicted.
He added that at the end of the day, nobody was questioned because of his or her ethnic group or their place of origin.
“I have argued that corruption is a key deterrent to the development of Sierra Leone. The fraudulent conversion of public funds and resources to private use, the waste of public funds with impunity, and the abuse of offices and authority to the detriment of millions of Sierra Leoneans, are all threats to our development as a nation. The machinery of state and its governance institutions have been weakened by corruption and it would seem we have failed to heed the bitter lessons of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and the collective shame of our underachievement as a nation,” he said.
Sole Commissioner for Commission No. 1 Justice Biobele Georgewill, who spoke on behalf of the other Commissioners, said that with the highest sense of responsibility they felt fulfilled to present their final report. He said that during the proceedings of the COI, they adopted a robust approach to ensure that they carried out their work in accordance with due process and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
He noted that during the process, the State and Persons of Interests were given equal treatment to ensure fairness and impartiality and commended President Bio for giving them the independence to do their work, saying that that was unprecedented. He expressed hope that an assiduous implementation of the recommendations of the report would go a long way to changing the narrative in public governance in the country.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Priscilla Schwartz, said that the COI was not a witch-hunt but a quest for accountability, adding that the process was demonstrative of the strength of the country’s democracy and the beginning of the restoration of the rule of law and equal access to justice. She also commended the Commissioners for showing tremendous courage and professionalism and described them as being outstanding, for which the people of Sierra Leone were grateful.
Orange SL Boosts Free Quality Education
Orange SL Company is recognized as one of the government’s key partners in development undertakings; in such, this leading telecommunication among others has always being in the position to adhere to it cooperate social responsibility services not only to government, but to the communities in which people have benefited in many way.
Since the inception of the Free Quality Education Programme, initiated by the New Direction Government through president Julius Maada Bio with it motives of easing the burden of parents in developing the human person in the country, Orange mobile company was the first among others to give viable supports to the free schooling education programme across the country.
The company has also taken prompt steps in support of the sanitary pads, super-coding materials to female pupils in different schools across the country.
Besides, Orange mobile telecommunication has brought the world closer to pupils in the educational system through the launching of a specialized internet package for school pupils across the country, specifically at St Joseph Secondary School, Freetown.
This product is also known as “student spak” which is designed to expose school pupils and students in universities to data usage by facilitating learning process at a low cost.
With such vibrant, who has passion for education, Chief Executive officer, Aminata Kane also launched the “super coders scratch “at the Annie Walsh Memorial School which gears in exposing pupils to computer programming by connecting colored blocks using the mouse.
The company intends to empower more schools pupils in enhancing science and improvement in technology and innovations
Orange Sierra Leone also intends to roll out the remaining aspects encapsulated in the $1.5 million package towards the Free Quality Education Project.
Despite the educational aspect, this mobile telecommunication company has also been rendering supports to communities that have enhanced the lives of people.
Orange telecommunication in addition has been fostering development through service delivery and makes communication more affordable and easier for the people of Sierra Leone in transparent and accountability manner.
S/Leone Shipping Company Attracts Govt Clients
The Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA), the country’s leading shipping line, which provides effective and efficient service delivering for its clients in the marine transportation industry has extremely posited in generating revenue and enhancing development feasible in the country.
Alhajie Juma Musa Kallone, the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of SLSA in an interview, said the agency has been able to deliver tangible and steadfast services for its customers through the acting Managing Director, Ahmed Saybom Kanu who has been working on sundry resilience initiatives in revamping the agency as well as the management.
The PRO explained that Director Kanu has transformed the various means of transportations including land, sea, and air in the agency which have created attractive outputs to clients especially in service delivery.
The PRO unfold that the agency was extremely experiencing multiple posers, including the staff morale which was low, extravagant spending as was envisage in various departments when the MD Kanu took over management.
He advanced that there were low wages and dilapidated working environment that were gravely impending the work of the agency, but with persistent and concerted team working spirit, he has successfully been capable of creating changes by promoting customers’ confidence and wiliness to do business with SLNSA.
The company has been operating over decades with its objectives of providing efficient and reliable services to many international and national clients. The agency was established through the 2018 financial Act of section 31, which charges the responsibility of clearing and forwarding of all Ministry Departments and Agencies including private institution businesses.
Leicester Road Community Needs Prompt Supports
By: Amara Kargbo
Pole Organization, a youth initiative movement with it drive of investing in human capital development, has treaded in giving Leicester Road Community with doable prompt supports as well as asking other partners to help ameliorate their community.
During an exclusive interview, Alimamy Lucky Sesay, Chairperson of the Pole Organization, Leicester Road Community described the environment as an “outcast community,” with a huge chunk of the population, which goes without many of the fundamental basic amenities for a safety survival; such enigmas include no pure pipe-burning drinking water, health facility, no police post, poor road network and community center.
He reiterated that with such ineffective neither absent of the above-mentioned facilities, there is a clamorous call for concern, despite; half of the population of the community is pupils and children who equally deserved similar opportunities, which other environs are benefiting.
He advanced that as an organization, many young people especially indigenes of the community have graduated from universities, many have acquired jobs which the organization and the community have embraced such oriented youths who have created a competitive platform among school pupils in the community.
Last year, the organization organized a carnival at the National Stadium, which enables them to accumulate a considerable fund, which they successfully converted in to a form of donation to buy building materials, which they distributed, to youth groups that were undertaking construction works on feeders’ roads and drainages in the community, he said.
Alimamay Lucky unfold that the organization also intends to open a vocational Centre, open extra school classes and give scholarships to school going pupils.
He promised that in the near future, people will be absolutely start considering Leicester Road Community as a develop vicinity.
He craved that the community has expanded remarkably and they are indefatigably calling on government and partners to render them with modern facilities.
“As President Declares State of Emergency”
Govt. Cautions Business People
By the authority vested in me under Subsection 1 of Section 29 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, Act No. 6 of 199, regarding the declaration of a state of public emergency, it is my opinion that a situation exists which, if allowed to continue, will lead to a state of emergency in Sierra Leone.
The Corona virus disease is a highly infectious disease which constitutes a public emergency of international concern that has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The rapid global spread of the corona virus poses great risk to human life and can cause enormous socio-economic disruption in Sierra Leone.
This situation therefore requires effective measures to prevent, protect, and curtail the spread of the corona virus diseases in Sierra Leone.
Now, the corona virus disease poses threat to the lives of the people and the economy of Sierra Leone, and the need to take effective measures to prevent, protect, and curtail the spread of the disease throughout Sierra Leone, do hereby, in such, declaring a State of Public Emergency exists in the whole of the Republic of Sierra Leone with effect from today the 24th Day of March 2020 for a period of twelve months.
The President therefore, reaffirmed that the determination of the government to do everything necessary to protect the life of every Sierra Leoneans.
This is not a lockdown and nobody must use this as an excuse to hoard goods, hike prices, or engage in acts of lawlessness. This public emergency is not meant to make the lives of Sierra Leoneans difficult or unbearable.
The president said the government will continue to deploy the armed forces and Police, as necessary, to enforce compliance with all public health directives.
President assured that the actions taken as a Government would have an impact for the well-being of our beloved nation.
DR. Owizz Testifies on Murder Trial
BY FEIMA SESAY
Government Consultant Pathologist Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma has on Wednesday 25th March, 2020 testified before Justice Monfred Sesay of high court of Sierra Leone on the ongoing murder trial of Zaioux Sesay involving Daniel Sellu and six others.
The accused Daniel Sellu, John Junior Kamara, Albert Momoh, Alfred James( alias Lion), Christopher Sellu Lahai and Alfred Sulay Momoh who have started their trial before Justice Monfred Momoh were arraigned on three counts charges of Conspiracy to murder contrary to section 4 of the offence against the persons act 1861, Robbery with aggravation and Murder contrary to law.
According to the indictment, the state alleged that, all the accused persons on diverse dates between 10 February 2017 and 12 February 2017, in Freetown conspired together with other persons unknown to murder Zaioux Sesay.
It was further alleged that the accused persons on the 12th February 2017, in Freetown murdered Zaioux Sesay and that before the incident they were being armed with gun and robbed the deceased of 1 grey LG Flex Phone, worth seven (Le,7,000,000) million Leones and some amount of money.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the offences charged against them and for the matter to be trialed by a Judge and Jurors.
The state prosecuting counsel ,lawyer Joseph A.K Sesay in his presentation to the 12 jurors’ said, on the 10 February 2017, all the seven accused persons and others unknown persons who are still on the run agreed to murder Zaioux Sesay, adding further that on the 12 February 2017 they robbed the deceased of some properties and thereafter murder him.
He continued that, on that date, all the accused went to the deceased is resident at No12 Hill Cut Road Freetown, late at night when the deceased just opened his door for fresh-air when the accused then attacked him in the presences of his wife and shot him on his head with a gun and died subsequently after that.
Whiles lawyer A.K Sesay defining the definition of murder, said murder in law could be defined as when a normal person unlawfully kills a normal person by doing something to that person with intent to kill or to cause serious bodily injury and that the person die before 1 year or 1 year 1 day as a result of what was done to him/her.
Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma in further testimony, said on the 20 February 2017, upon the instruction of the chief medical officer and the request of the Corona of Freetown, he carried out a postmortem examination on the remains of a 62 year old Zaioux Sesay within the mortuary of Connaught teaching hospital.
He added that the body was identified to him by Mr. Edward Sesay of No 12 Hill Cut Road Freetown, son to the deceased, Detective Sergeant 14287 Fofanah O. attached to the CID Lumley Police station, Scene of Crime Officer Inspector I.S Dumbuya attached to the CID HQ Freetown and batteries of Medical students.
He said at the conclusion of the examination, he reduced his findings to a postmortem report and issued the original medical certificated cause of death to the relative of the deceased for proper burial.
The said report was produced and tendered in court respectively to form part of the prosecution’s case.
“In my expert opinion, the cause of death was unnatural and the manner or mode was homicidal and that the deceased die due to the gunshot wounds he received as he was bleeding severely,” he said.
Dr. Koroma further revealed that the deceased was in good health and naturally fit until he met his untimely death, adding that due to the gunshot wounds he received on his head ,the skull was shattered and his brain damaged severely.
He added that the skull bone were broken with several pieces which lead to the exclusion of his brain, stating further that, the reason why he normally conduct a postmortem examination was to established cause of death and the fact that death was natural or unnatural.
He was cross-examined by Lawyer Alpha Salieu Ndoleh Esq. Defense counsel representing the entire accused persons.
Lawyer Joseph A.K Sesay Esq. was prosecuting the matter on behalf of the state.
Justice Monfred Sesay however adjourned the matter to the 1st April, 2020 whiles the accused were sent back to prison where they have been for almost three years now.
SLCB Presents Over Le5.1 Billion as Dividend
The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank leadership (SLCB) has met with President Dr Julius Maada Bio to present their 2018 dividend of Five Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Million, Forty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty-Six Leones and Thirty-Six Cents (5,130,046,636.36).
Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Sahr Lahai Jusu, said that for the first time in the last twelve years the Bank was now able to pay a dividend to the Government of Sierra Leone, the only shareholder of the Bank.
He noted that over the last two years, they have increased the oversight of the operations of the Bank, both in respect of its governance and structure and in respect of the increased management and operational roles, they had conducted.
Chairman of the SLCB Board, Dr James David Rogers, said that although they were expected to pay a dividend to government, the Bank had not been able to do so for quite some time now, adding that it was important that they were meeting Government to pay some dividends. He said they were pleased to be in an upward trajectory and assured that with the policies in place, they were not likely to have any reversal.
Responding, President Bio said he was pleased to have presided over an important occasion indicative of his government’s effective and efficient management of the state. He said that the achievement was meant to give confidence to the nation that they could do it with the right political leadership, adding that he was pleased that the Bank has been able to take up the challenge.
“We hope this is the beginning of this trend and next year we will be able to make more money. I want to encourage you all to show the example and I am happy that we have inspired this sort of spirit. We want every other institution to emulate this example. We want to make this country a better place and we have to let our institutions work,” he said.
Disadvantaged Persons Boss Calls on Government
CODaP Boss, Sahid Bangura
By Musa Kamara
Due to the increase in drug substance abuse among youth across the country, Creating Opportunities for Disadvantaged Persons (CODaP), has called on the government for the establishment and Rehabilitation facility (Rehab) that gears toward the saving of the mental health of youth addicted to harmful drugs.
Sahid Bangura, Executive Director of CODap underscored that Sierra Leone has an immense youthful population with several of them actively addicted in drug consumption and Rehah are advocating for a platform to speak up their plights ‘self isolation’ ranging from family, community, and all in the name of stigmatization.
He outlined the adverse effect of drugs, saying that drugs kills dreams and now at the time for Sierra Leone to stand up for her youth and ensure that a rehab facility is in place to restore the ‘state of mind’ of youth that are shunned by society.
Interestingly, he stated that the common butterscotch peddled to youth especially pupils, is now been processed with marijuana and tramadol by some miscreants in society.
“Pupils have confessed such to us,” he said.
He applauded the Kissy Psychiatry Hospital for their work so far but however, he emphasized that some youth who are into drugs do not need such a facility and that what is needed is a specialized rehab facility with trained medical personnel.
PARLIAMENT APPROVES PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEES
The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday 24 March 2020 unanimously approved the Thirteenth Report of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis.
The following presidential nominees were Timothy Musa Kabba, Member Board of Directors, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, and Commissioner of National Commission for Children, Sahr H. Ensah, Member of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency and Rakiatu O. R. Kassim, Member of Corporate Affairs Commission
Seconding the motion, Hon. Hassan A. Sesay of APC commended President Bio for appointing the nominees using gender equilibrium for their experience and wealth of knowledge. “Today for the first time, we have nominees on 50/50; he noted and added that “the nominees bear no controversy”.
Hon. Veronica K. Sesay of SLPP who doubles as President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus said the nominees were all people of substance and described the female nominees as supportive pillars to men. She used the opportunity to ask the men to work closely with women in order to be successful.
The Deputy Opposition Whip of the APC, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally who also doubles as the Chairperson for the Gender Committee in Parliament encouraged the nominees to do the needful and also assured the Commissioner for the National Commission for Children of her fervent and unflinching support.
An Independent MP, Hon. Shiaka Sama called on the nominees to work hard so as to bring change by reducing suffering on the masses. He used the opportunity to ask the entire Honourable House to call all those who have been approved by MPs to come and answer questions relating to the change they have influenced or brought to their various institutions.
Hon. Sahr Charles of C4C spoke on the challenges the nominees are going to be confronted with and encouraged them to improvise and come up with creative solutions relative to national development.
The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Chernor M. Bah endorsed the nominees and asked colleague MPs to support and speedily ratify them to go and start work in earnest.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis called on MPs to approve the nominees for the development of the country.
Congratulating the nominees, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu encouraged them to work very hard in order to meet the expectations of the President and the People of Sierra Leone.
Winning The War Against THE Plague OF Corona Virus…
–Bishop David Oyedepo
We Cannot Win Any Battle with Fear
2 Kings 6:27-28
Our surest help us from the Lord
Everybody is limited, only God is unlimited.
Ephesians 6:10
In the name of Jesus, this evil tide finally comes down today.
We will hear good news during the week.
Believers are called to stand in the gap for mankind.
Let us pray that God Saves humankind for the sake of the righteous in every nation of the earth.
Genesis 18:24-26, 32
The world is under attack and believers must stand in the gap.
John 8:39
The curse of Corona Virus is over today in Jesus name.
O Lord God set free mankind from this scourge today.
We must stand in the gap and destroy the snare of fear.
We cannot win any battle with fear.
Every man is a victim of his fear.
This (Corona) will not have a place in Nigeria.
Job 3:25
We must bind the spirit of fear that makes victims of men.
The same way Ebola went is the way Corona will go.
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Some Keys
Return to God in repentance for help.
Matthew 7:8
We must pray to stop the plague from ravaging the earth.
James 4:2
Some satanic resistances may require prayer and fasting to crush.
Matthew 17:19
Our fasting this Wednesday is focused on crushing this evil.
This evil will pack and go finally.
Corona Virus it is enough!
Commission of Inquiry Final Report Out
President has warned all serving officials of his government not to betray
BRIEF STATEMENT BY HON SIR JUSTICE BIOBELE ABRAHAM GEORGEWILL JCA, DSSRS, KSC, OF THE SIERRA LEONE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY, CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO. 64 OF 2018 AT THE SUBMISSION OF FINAL REPORTS OF THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE, H. E. DR. JULIUS MAADA BIO ON WEDNESDAY 25TH DAY OF MARCH 2020 AT THE STATE HOUSE, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE
Opening Statement: Time and space would not permit an inquiry of this nature to cover every single economic, financial and administrative activity of the immediate past Government of H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma from November 2007 – April 2018 when power was democratically handed over to H. E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, as President of Sierra Leone. The Commissions of Inquiry No. 1, Constitutional Instrument No. 64 of 2018 was duly established by law pursuant to the appointment of the Chairmen and Sole Commissioner, Hon Sir Biobele Abraham Georgewill JCA, DSSRS, KSC, a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Lord Chancellor of the Diocese of Niger Delta, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Pro Chancellor of Southgate University, Windhoek, Nigeria, by the President of Sierra Leone to carry out thorough, independent, fair and impartial investigations into allegations of corruption and abuse of public office and to make relevant findings and proffer appropriate recommendations to the Government of Sierra Leone for its considerations.
Terms of Reference:
To examine the assets and other related matters in respect of
Persons who were President, Vice Presidents, Ministers, Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers; and
Heads and Chairmen of Boards of Parastatals, Departments and Agencies within the period from November 2007 to April 2018
To inquire into and investigate whether assets were acquired lawfully or unlawfully
To inquire into:
Persons who were President, Vice Presidents, Ministers, Ministers of State and Deputy Ministers;
Heads of Parastatals, Departments and Agencies
To ascertain as to whether the Persons referred to in paragraphs (a) – (c):
Maintained a standard of life above that which was commensurate to their official emoluments
Owned or were in control of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to their official emoluments or there are evidence of corruption, dishonesty or abuse of office for private benefit by them Collaborated with any person in respect of such corruption, dishonesty or abuse of office acted willfully or complacently in such a manner so as to cause financial loss or damage to the Government, Local Authority or Parastatal, including a Public Corporation.
Acquired directly or indirectly financial or material gains fraudulently, improperly or willfully to the detriment of the Government, Local Authority or a Parastatal , including a Public Corporation, Statutory Commission, Body or any University in Sierra Leone.
To inquire into and investigate any persons or matter as may from time to time be referred to the Commission by His Excellency, the President.
Methodology: This Commission adopted a robust approach to ensure that it carried out its work in accordance with due process and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. It was guided by the provisions of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (as amended), the Sierra Leone High Court Rules 2007 and the Practice Directions of the Commissions of Inquiry 2019. The proceedings were held in public and were adversary in nature in line with the common law historical origins of the laws and practice in Sierra Leone. The State and the Persons of Interest were given equal treatment to ensure fairness and impartiality. The sacrosanct rules of fair hearing were scrupulously observed and adhered to by the Commission.
Challenges: The initial time frame of six months for the completion of the assignments by the Commissions of Inquiry was very inadequate taking into consideration the magnitude and complexity of the totality of the work carried out by the Commissions of Inquiry. An initial projection of one year for the work of the Commissions of Inquiry, taking into consideration the terms of reference covering eleven years of governance under scrutiny, would have been fairly reasonable.
A: Final Report on Ministerial Investigations; Findings: The highlights are:
Number of Persons of Interest and Collaborators investigated: 110 Persons of Interest, their alleged Collaborators and or Companies.
Number of Persons of Interest and Collaborators Indicted: 84 Persons of Interest and or Companies.
Number of Persons of Interest and Others Discharged: 26 Persons of Interest and Others.
Amounts of Money involved:
On Ebola Response: Le85, 239, 738, 225. 94 and USD2, 471, 993. 41 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for between the EOC/Ministry of Health and Sanitation; NERC, their several Collaborators, BDO and IHPAU.
On Unsecured Loans: Le7, 100, 159, 352. 29 is still outstanding as debts due payable to the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank from the unsecured loans to politically exposed persons and or their businesses.
On the Youth in Drainage Project: Le19, 812, 340, 478. 00 was misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for and a further sum of Le804, 000, 000. 00 paid by RMFA as administrative cost.
On the National Youth Farm Project: Le1, 599, 533, 000. 000 was misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Youth in Fisheries Project: Le2, 721, 565, 499. 00 and USD277, 000. 00 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the National Youth Village Project: Le2, 207, 818, 212. 10 was misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources: Le62, 368, 811, 694. 81 and USD7, 860, 767. 16 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On Sierra Rutile SL Ltd: The Government of Sierra Leone owned shares, whether amounting to 7, 085 or 30% or less of the total share capital of Sierra Rutile SL Ltd, arising from payment in lieu of PAYE from 1/4/2005 – 31/12/2011 amounting to USD8, 739, 192. 00 which were converted into shares in the said Sierra Rutile SL Ltd, and which shares were under a shady deal surreptitiously sold in 2012.
On the Petroleum Directorate: Le72, 254, 506, 000. 00; and USD15, 413, 821. 00 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Ministry of Trade and Industry: Le16, 008, 534, 574. 00 was misappropriated and or unverified and remained unaccounted for.
On the Ministry of Sports: Le5, 009, 027, 502. 00 was misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and Environment: Huge and unquantifiable sums of money payable as revenue on hasty and undervalued sale of some identified Government Quarters without due process and other State lands and leases that have been lost to the Government of Serra Leone, Le270, 581, 888. 00 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology: Le44, 764, 428, 798. 00, and USD67, 951, 222. 00 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
On the Office of Attorney General and Ministry of Justice: Several assets handed over to the Government of Sierra Leone by the former Special Court for Sierra Leone in 2013/2014 had remained unaccounted for. There was also gross dereliction and professional negligence leading to loss of prestige and damages awarded against the Government of Sierra Leone by the ECOWAS Court. The sum of Le3, 394, 828, 831. 00 and USD270, 000. 00 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for.
From the findings above, the grand total amount of Le323, 555, 873, 556. 14 and USD94, 217, 803. 30 were misappropriated and or unverified and had remained unaccounted for and lost to corruption in the MDAs between November 2007 and April 2018 as investigated by Commission Number One (Constitutional Instrument No. 64 of 2018).
Recommendations: The high lights are:
All amounts recommended to be paid or refunded shall be refunded and paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone within 30 days from the date of the ratification of the recommendations by the Government of Sierra Leone.
In the event of failure or neglect or refusal to make the refunds and payment into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone within the 30 days period by any one as indicted above, the Government shall use all lawful means to confiscate all monies standing to the credit of any of the indicted persons and properties, movable and immovable, including houses, vehicles, stocks, belonging to any of the indicted persons for the purposes of selling them to recover the said amounts.
All irregular allocations of State lands and leases converted to freeholds without due process should be set aside, nullified and revoked and all the said lands reverted to the Government of Sierra Leone and the monies paid be refunded to the affected persons by the Government.
All indicted Persons of Interest and their collaborators involved in gross abuse of public office shall be barred from holding any public offices on subvention or howsoever funded by the Government of Sierra Leone for a period of five years from the date of acceptance of this recommendation by the Government of Sierra Leone.
From the findings by Commission Number One, the worst managed Ministry in the period under review was the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The issue of indebtedness of the Government of Sierra Leone to Limkokwing University is a farce as exposed in the findings under Ministry of Education, Science and Technology!
B. Final Report on Assets Investigations; Findings: The highlights are:
Number of Persons of interest investigated: 17 Persons of Interest, namely:
Madam Finda Diana Konomanyi: Former Minister of Local Government and Former Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment from 2013 – 2018
Miatta Kargbo: Former Minister of Health and Sanitation from 2013 – 2015
Ibrahim Washinga Mansaray: Former Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation from 2013 – 2016; Former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry from 2016 – 2018
Abdul Ignosi Koroma: Former Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources from 2007 – 2018
Minkailu Mansaray: Former Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources 2007 – 2018
Ahmed Khanou: Former Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment from 2010 – 2016 and Former Minister of Sports from 2016 – 2018
Alimamy A. Kamara: Former Minister of Youth Affairs from 2013 – 2016
Mabinty Daramy: Former Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry from 2011 – 2016
Bai Mamoud Bangura: Former Minister of Youth Affairs from 2016 – 2018
Alfred Palo Conteh: Former Minister of Defense 2007 – 2014 and Former Minister of Internal Affairs from 2016 – 2018
Dr. Minkailu Bah: Former Minister of Education, Science and Technology from 2007 – 2018
Alimamy P. Koroma: Former Minister of Minister of Trade and Industry from 2007 – 2009 and Former Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure from 2009 – 2013
Mamoud Tarawally: Former Minister of Education, Science and Technology and Former Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment from 2011 – 2013 and 2016 – 2018
Dr. Richard Konteh: Former Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development from 2007 – 2008 and Former Minister of Trade and Industry from 2008 – 2013
Franklyn Bai Kargbo: Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice from 2010 – 2015
Zuliatu Muamatu Cooper: Former Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation from 2016 – 2018
Raymond Saidu Kargbo: Former Director General of Petroleum Directorate 2013 – 2018
Number of Persons of Interest Indicted: 14 Persons of Interest
Number of Persons of Interest discharged: 3 Persons of Interest
Recommendations: The high lights are:
All the Persons of Interest who failed to declare at least once their Assets to the Anti – Corruption Commission were found guilty of the offence created under Section 119 of the ACC Act and were by virtue of Section 122 of the ACC Act sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of Le30, 000, 000.
All the Persons of Interest who declared their Assets at least once or more to the Anti – Corruption Commission were found guilty of the offence created under Section 119 of the ACC Act but were cautioned and discharged.
All properties of Persons of Interest acquired within their total emoluments were discharged.
All funds of Persons of Interest in their Bank Accounts within their total emoluments were discharged.
All properties legally shown to belong to the spouse or jointly owned or to other relations and therefore, not belonging to the Persons of interest, and being therefore, outside the mandate of this Commissions were discharged.
All properties of Persons of Interest acquired with funds beyond and far above, and therefore not commensurate with, their legitimate means of incomes, allowances and other earnings and therefore, being products of unlawful and or unjust enrichments, shall be forfeited forthwith to the Government of Sierra Leone.
Upon due process taken for the legal forfeiture of all such forfeited properties, they shall be sold at public auction, or dealt with in any other lawful means as allowed by the Laws of Sierra Leone in dealing with forfeited properties, to interested persons at a fair value and the proceeds shall be remitted promptly into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone.
All funds and financial transactions in the Bank Accounts of all Person of Interest far above their total legitimate earnings shall forthwith be forfeited and if already spent by the Persons of Interest shall be refunded forthwith and paid by the Persons of Interest into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone within 30 days from the date of the ratification of this recommendation by the Government of Sierra Leone
In the event of failure or neglect or refusal by the Persons of Interest to make the refunds and or payment into the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Government of Sierra Leone within the 30 days period, the Government shall use all lawful means to confiscate all monies standing to his or her credits in any Bank Accounts and properties, movable and immovable, including houses, vehicles, stocks, belonging to the Persons of Interest for the purposes of selling them to recover the said amounts.
Implementation of Recommendations: It is my hope that the Government of Sierra Leone under the leadership of H. E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio will find these recommendations helpful and useful in addressing and checking the grave ills of corruption on the economic and financial stability of the Republic of Sierra Leone and to recovers all stolen, misappropriated and or unaccounted funds and assets through an assiduous implementation of these recommendations, which in my humble view would go a long way in changing the narrative in public governance in Sierra Leone with the result that public offices would be held in trust and for the benefit of the people of Sierra Leone.
Appreciation: The privilege to be called upon and to have served this great Country of Sierra Leone has indeed been mine. Having brought this assignment to a successful conclusion, it is fitting to give thanks and praise first to God for his grace and mercy all through the assignment. I express my appreciation to H. E. Mohammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approving my coming over to Sierra Leone to take up this assignment. I express my appreciation to H.E. Julius Maada Bio, the President of Sierra Leone for appointing and giving me the opportunity to serve this Country and the free hand to carry out this assignment. I thank the Vice President, Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Dr. Abass Chenor Bundu, the Hon Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz, the immediate past and current Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sierra Leone, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Hon Godfrey Onyeama, the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Hon Odein Ajumogobia SAN, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Sierra Leone, Dr. Habiss Ugbada, and his Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, the Bishop and Dean of Diocese of Freetown and the Anglican Communion, AIG Morie Lengor Rtd., the Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and Staff of the Commissions of Inquiry, Freetown. I appreciate the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Walter C. N. Onnoghen and the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Hon Justice Zainab Adamu Bulkachuwa. I deeply appreciate my beloved wife, Dame Funmilayo Biobele Georgewill and my lovely kids, Mrs. Abilaba, Barr Lolia, Ella, Princess, Afam and Barr Diepriye. I appreciate Mr. Lindsay Barret and Mrs. Joy S. Bob Manuel. I appreciate my twin brother, Prof Sir Owunari Abraham Georgewill. I appreciate my personal doctor, Dr. Mrs. Oulchi Wogu. I appreciate my dedicated close body guards, Sgt. Williams Jnr., and Sgt. Christian Gray. I appreciate the Press, particularly Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation and African Young Voices Media Empire. I also appreciate all others who had in various ways ensured and contributed to my successful conclusion of this assignment. I say thank you all and God bless!
Hon Sir Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, JCA, DSSRS, KSC
Chairman and Sole Commissioner, Constitutional Instrument No. 64 of 2018
