By Amin Kef Sesay
This news medium has intimated that the High Court of Sierra Leone, Holden at Freetown, presided over by the Honourable Mr. Justice Reginald Sydney Fynn Jr. has on Friday 11th October 2019 acquitted and discharged Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, APC Deputy Chairman/former Cabinet Minister and Mohamed Allie Bah Former Minister of State, Vice President’s Office, on all counts of corruption offences for which they were standing trial after a “no case submission” on their behalf was upheld.
It was, however, made clear that the trial continues against former Vice President Victor Bokarie Foh and two others. After the ruling the Commission said it will review it and determine further steps to be taken where necessary.
In another development, Justice Fynn convicted Lieutenant Commander of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Jonathan Michael Jenkins, on two counts of Soliciting an Advantage, Contrary to Section 28(2) and Abuse of Office, Contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No 12 of 2008 respectively.
The court ordered him to pay a total fine of One Hundred Million Leones (Le 100,000,000) for both counts or serve a jail term of Four (4) years on each count, concurrently. Justice Fynn Jnr. also ordered Lieutenant Commander Jenkins to pay the total fine immediately or suffer imprisonment.
Between the 27th October 2016 and 31st December 2016, at Kortimow Wharf in Port Loko District, Lieutenant Commander Jenkins being the Officer-in-Charge of a Forward Operations Base in Port Loko, solicited an Advantage to wit the sum of One Million Leones (Le1,000,000) from one Sheku Kamara, owner of a boat named ‘Saiyenoh’. He also improperly conferred an Advantage on himself by retaining proceeds from the sale of petrol and diesel seized from the said boat.
The Commission has assured the people of Sierra Leone of its relentless commitment in curbing impunity in the public service.
Hoping for a fruitful Sierra Leone soonest way possible.God bless this country. thanks.