By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The Justice Biobele Goergewill Commission of Inquiry has issued a notice to former president Ernest Bai Koroma to be part of the hearings tomorrow, Thursday.
The invitation comes amidst preparations to open an inquiry into Sierra Leone's Petroleum Directorate. He is not under obligation to appear.
According to a letter from the Commission’s Secretariat, the notice is to inform Koroma of the testimonies that will be taken which may likely affect him.
"I will be receiving testimonies from witness(es), whose testimonies are likely to touch and concern your conduct as person of interest on issues pertaining to your activities and deliberations relative to the Petroleum Directorate for the period November 2007 to April 2018," the statement reads.
The former president is unlikely to attend as have other members of his All People’s Congress party who have been invited. The party, which Koroma leads, adopted an expressed position from the start, not to cooperate with the commission which they’ve labelled “Kangaroo”.
The party’s former presidential candidate, Dr Samura Kamara also boycotted the panel despite testimonies touching on his character as the Minister of Finance in 2012 when the government allegedly sold some 30% shares in Sierra Rutile Ltd.
While Koroma's office has not responded to the notice, the State Counsel has also not named who they will take the witness stand tomorrow. Politico understand that witness will be a senior manager at the directorate.
© 2019 Politico Online
