By Ragan M. Conteh
The Criminal Investigation Department of the Sierra Leone Police has over the weekend confirmed that they are investigating an alleged theft of Le two hundred million Leones (Le 200,000,000) at the residence of Kabineh Kallon, Minister of Transport and Aviation.
Detective Superintendent, Mohamed Komba Allieu has however debunked social media rumours that the amount involved was two hundred thousand United States Dollars (USD 200,000)
It will be recalled that several local tabloids have reported that the said amount of USD 200,000 was stolen by relatives of the Minister and that his wife had personally reported the matter to the police for investigation.
The Police have further established that two of the relatives of the Minister in his residence have allegedly stolen the money and left for overseas.
Detective Superintendent Allieu has also maintained that it was criminal and against the regulations of the Central bank and the laws of Sierra Leone for individuals to keep above USD 10,000 in their private residence.
The theft at the residence of a sitting government Minister such whooping sums of money has continue to raise questions around financial discipline and adherence to monetary policy regulations by government functionaries.
Many who spoke to this medium have noted that the Police could have downplayed the correct amount involved in the theft at the residence of the Minister with the view to protect the Minister.
The Minister has since failed to go public on the matter not until the Police have confirmed that indeed such theft had occurred at his premises.