By Saio Marrah
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment for former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, and top officials of his former government including Dr. Samura Kamara who held different posts in that administration.
The three-judge panel chaired by Justice Ivan Sesay made the announcement on Monday 2nd October 2023 noting that the judgment will be delivered within two weeks and that notices will be served to all parties concerned.
The announcement came after the appellant’s lawyers, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara and Ady Macauley, and a lawyer for the state, A. Suwu Kendoh informed the court that they relied on the synopsis they had presented to the court.
The three judges including Adrian Fisher and Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens also informed the courtroom which was packed with All People’s Congress (APC) executives that the former flag bearer of the main opposition, Samura Kamara’s appeal has also been reserved for judgment.
Meanwhile, lawyer Ady Macauley representing Mahmoud Tarawallie, said while the Commission of Inquiry exonerated his client, two of his houses were confiscated without conducting an investigation into how he acquired those properties. He also noted that there were no records or transcripts regarding evidence from witnesses at the inquiry. Judgment was also reserved in this matter.
Lawyer Macauley also made the same arguments regarding the case of Minkailu Mansaray. He will return to the court on 5th October before which date the appellant and state are to file their synopsis.
Hon Mohamed Bangura Former minister of information and communication in the government of President Koroma also lodged an appeal. His lawyer informed the court that he was only implicated because he was collecting per diem for which he never signed.
The Commission of Inquiry was established to examine the assets and other related matters in respect of the former President, Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Minister, and Chairpersons of boards or parastatals of government institutions between November 2007 and April 2018.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (04/10/23)
