By Foday Moriba Conteh
Justice Cosmotina Jarrette, a High Court Judge, has recently discharged the former Minister of Basic Education, Alpha Osman Timbo; Emily Kadiatu Gogra-Deputy Minister of Basic Education; Charles T. Kamanda; Mamusu Massaquoi and Zainab Binta Kamara on all 15 (fifteen) count charges of corruption related offences.
The matter, which was brought before the Anti-Corruption Court on 9th April, 2020 by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), was discharged on Thursday, 16th July 2020, without being acquitted after ACC lead Prosecutor, Calvin Mantesbo, informed the Court that they had reached a conclusion that they sought to offer no evidence against all accused persons.
On count one, Misappropriation of Public Property Contrary to Section 36 (1) of the ACC Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the ACC (amendment) Act No. 9 of 2019 and Count Fifteen, Abuse of 0ffice Contrary to Section 42 (1) of the ACC Act. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The lawyers for the first, second, third and fourth accused persons demanded for a cost of two hundred and fifty million Leones (Le.250, 000,000) to be granted but the Honourable Justice Jarette declined.
Similarly, Lawyer ET Enoh for the fifth accused pleaded that the Judge acquit and discharge his client but the Honourable Justice also declined on grounds that the matter is not only a criminal case but also didn’t go into full blown trial.
