By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Former Presidential candidate for the APC in the 2018 elections, Samura Kamara was on the 28th July 2021 at the Court of Appeal in Freetown to challenge the ‘adverse’ findings of the Commissions of Inquiry (COI) led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, incriminating him.
Counsel Ady Macauley representing the former flag bearer said the findings of the Commission against his client were injurious to his reputation and tantamount to ridicule in the public eye especially when his client is contesting in the forthcoming elections. He argued that the findings have the tendency to sway the opinions of the public to that of negativity.
According to the findings of the COI, Kamara as Minister of Finance and Economic Development together with John Bonoh Sisay, Minkailu Mansaray and others were involved in the ‘illegal’ sale of the 30 percent shares of the State Sierra Rutile Limited’s stake. Justice Georgewill said that Kamara’s actions were gross ‘abuse of office’ that was ‘reckless’.
Macauley, presented his argument by relying on an amended synopsis that he filed to the court on 19th July 2021. In this synopsis, he said that they abandoned Ground 7 of their appeal which he thought was a repetition of Ground 5.
Justice Ivan Sesay adjourned the matter for Monday 2nd August 2021 with the appellant to continue his argument and response by the State, Abigail Suwu-Kaindoh.
In another matter, Steven Gaojia, former Chief Operations Officer of the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) and former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs who was implicated by the COI on misappropriation of Ebola funds has won his appeal at the Appeal’s Court.
According to Recommendation 9 of the COI, Gaojia and other officials of the Ernest Bai Koroma Administration are barred from holding public office for 5 years.
Osman Jalloh, counsel for the appellant abandoned Grounds 1, 2 and 3 of the appeal before the court read its judgment. Also, the State conceded to the appeal by the appellant that Justice Georgewill failed to take into consideration a particular document that might have vindicated the actions of Gaojia.
Justice Ivan Sesay read out the court’s judgment with Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens and Adrian Fisher towing the same line.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online (30/07/21)
