In its tireless efforts to fight corruption in every nook and cranny within the country, the Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC) has once more secured conviction against four individuals in Kenema, Eastern Sierra Leone.
It was revealed that the High Court of Sierra Leone, Holden in Kenema, presided over by the Honorable Justice Ivan Sesay, on Tuesday 12th February, 2019, convicted four former public officers for various corruption offences.
The four persons were Abubakarr Sidique Turay, former Accountant, Kenema City Council; Edward Kargbo, former Expenditure Clerk, Kenema City Council; Moses Koroma (alias ‘MO Jah’), former Transport Officer, Kenema City Council; and Mathew Amara Sesay, former Social Worker, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Kenema Office.
All these public officials were convicted on Twenty-One (21) Counts of Abuse of Office, and Misappropriation of Public Funds, contrary to Sections 36 and 42 respectively, of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008.
Between 22nd of July, 2011, and February, 2012, the four convicted persons misappropriated public funds amounting to Twenty-Seven Million, Five Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Leones (Le 27,519.000/00); being monies meant for the operations of the Kenema City Council.
Justice Sesay sentenced all four persons to three years imprisonment to run concurrently; or pay a fine of Thirty Million Leones (Le 30,000.000/00) on each of the twenty one (21) counts. He further ordered that all four convicted persons are to make full payments of the fines as a condition for their release from detention.
Meanwhile, the learned Judge acquitted Lamin Lumeh Mansaray, Regional Librarian Sierra Leone Library Board,Kenema, who was also standing trial in the same matter.
The ACC was represented by Nigel B. Davies and Adrian B.C. Samuels.
It was further revealed that the Commission wishes to reassure the public of its commitment to ensuring that public funds are protected, and, where necessary, recovered. The Commission said for further enquiries, please contact Margaret Murray, the Public Relations Officer on +232-25-428-081.
