By Prince J Musa
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating four people – two court clerks and two workers of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) - in Kenema for alleged misappropriation of funds.
High Court clerk Abdul Karim Kargbo and Deputy Master and Registrar Peter Kamara, allegedly connived with NRA officer Omaru Tarawally and a volunteer staff of the revenue authority, Ansu Simbo to misappropriate the money received as payment of fines by family members of a convict.
The convict was among four former local council officials prosecuted for fraud and were sentenced to three years with the option of paying Le30million fines each.
According to the family of the first accused, after raising the Le30million, which was paid to the High Court, the clerk and his alleged accomplices provided a receipt indicating a payment of Le30, 000 instead of Le30million.
Mohamed Sylvanus Blake, Public Education Officer of ACC East, said the four officials have been granted bail pending investigation of the allegation against them.
“The investigation is in progress and the suspects are helping with the investigation,” said Mr Blake, adding that because the investigation is at an early stage they couldn’t provide more details.
When contacted, the regional manager of NRA in Kenema, Desmond Tommy, confirmed that both Tarawally and Simbo worked at the office, but said that Simbo was there in the capacity of a volunteer. Tommy added that the two were attached to the non-tax revenue department and therefore not under his direct supervision.
Payment to NRA are made at Zenith Bank in Kenema. Officials at the Kenema branch confirmed that they have been visited by ACC officials but that they have directed the matter to their headquarters in Freetown.
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