The Anti Corruption Commission says it has commenced prosecuting a suspect over allegation he defrauded a foreign investor.
British telecommunications investor, Dominic Anselm Joseph Beary, allegedly parted with some US$800, 000, transferred to the accused, Mohamed Osman Sesay (alias assassin), who claimed to be a local agent helping him secure an international gateway licence.
Mr Beary is the Director of the National Proximity Sierra Leone Limited. He was bidding for one of the licences of the newly commissioned fiber optic cable system managed by the Sierra Leone Cable Company (SALCAB).
“Dominic was releasing funds from a parent company in the UK to fast-track the project following his receipt of several letters, one [of] which titled ‘letter of invitation”, from Mohamed Osman Sesay, purportedly signed by senior officials at the Ministry of Information and Communications, NATCOM, and one Mohamed Bangura ,” the ACC statement sent to Politico reads in part.
According to the anti-graft agency, the accused, Sesay, faces eight-count charges at the High Court in Freetown, presided over by Justice Miatta Samba.
Sesay pleaded not guilty to all counts, including Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption offence and Deceiving the Principal under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, when he appeared for the first time, the ACC said.
Sesay is accused alongside Dennis Jones, described as a media practitioner, who is said to be at large.
In one of the particulars of offence, the duo allegedly conspired to deceive Beary into paying the amount of USD 100, 000 purportedly as fees for an international gateway licence.
Mohamed Osman Sesay is said to be residing at 83 Bass Street in Freetown. The ACC described his condition on appearing in court as “seemingly physically well” but noted that he was “coughing profusely.”
“His counsel argued that he is seriously sick while canvassing for a bail,” the ACC reported.
The ACC prosecution team, led by Ady Macauley, argued against a bail requent by the defence team.
Justice Samba eventually denied bail, ruling that the matter was serious and that the accused stood the risk of interfering with prosecution witnesses.
The matter was adjourned to the 28th of September 2015.
(C) Politico Online 29/09/15
