By Kemo Cham
Former Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Richard Conteh, has been detained by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over suspected graft offenses.
Dr Conteh, who had also served as Chief of Staff and deputy Minister of Trade in the government of Ernest Bai Koroma, was detained on Thursday 29 August after he was invited by the ACC for questioning, a spokesman for the Commission said.
Success Kamara, Assistant Public Relations Officer at the ACC, told Politico on Friday that Conteh was being investigated in connection with funds donated to Sierra Leone by the Japanese government.
The Japanese, through their international development arm, JICA, in 2009 reportedly gave the West African country petroleum products worth US$11million. The consignment was subsequently alleged to have been sold to the National Petroleum (NP), a private petroleum importing company.
The proceeds were reportedly dispensed through a steering committee that was chaired by Dr. Conteh, who was at the time the Minister of Trade.
The ACC said agreement with JiCA entailed that 50% of the proceeds was to have been spent on building three markets – the Sewa Grounds market, Peace Market and another one in Wellington. The other half of the money was meant for any other project that could benefit the country.
“That is exactly what we are investigating, to see whether funds were dispensed judiciously,” said Kamara.
As of Friday August 30, Conteh was being held at the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown.
Conteh’s detention comes as Koroma’s successor, Julius Maada Bio, arrived in Japan on a state visit.
Bio’s administration is presiding over a tough battle against graft, in fulfillment of a campaign promise.
Dr Conteh is one of several former officials who have been subjected to investigations over suspected involvement in corruption. Many others have paid back stolen money.
A number of others, including a former Vice President, have been charged to court and are facing prosecution.
© 2019 Politico Online
