By Francis H. Murray
The Court of Appeal has commenced hearing appeals filed by persons of interest against the findings and recommendations of three judge-led Commissions of Inquiry (COI) for the first time since the launch of the government’s whitepaper in September.
Finda Diana Konomanyi and Sogefel-Sarl, two people named in the government whitepaper and having filed in appeals against the Commission’s recommendations appeared before a three-member panel of judges: Justices Fatmata Bintu Alhadi, Komba Kamanda and Justice Tonia Barnet on Monday 19 January 2021.
The judges, with Justice Alhadi presiding, unanimously gave certain directions to both lawyers representing the appellants and the Attorney General and Minster of Justice.
The judges directed that synopsis of the appellants be filed and served on the respondents by the 1 February, 2021 and that the respondents also file and serve synopsis on the appellants by the 15 February 2021 with both having their authorities attached thereto.
The matter was adjourned to the 22nd February 2021.
The government whitepaper was published on the 24 September 2020, following the conclusion of three Commissions of Inquiry set up by the President Julius Maada Bio-led administration to look into the activities of former government officials who served in Ernest Bai Koroma’s administration between 2007 and 2018.
The whitepaper adopted some of the recommendations of the Commissions of Inquiry, which included the payment of monies allegedly acquired illegally from the state coffers and the confiscation of properties of those found guilty.
Koroma’s party, the All Peoples Congress Party has referred to the whitepaper as a witch-hunt, which it says is aimed at deliberately smearing the image of their party and its officials.
The Commissions of Inquiry were set up to impartially look into the activities of the government of former president Ernest Bai Koroma.
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