Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government will soon face the ECOWAS Court for political deception in respect of compensation of the former vice President, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana.
The failure by government to pay financial benefits to the former second gentleman will leave Chief Sam with no option but to refer the matter to the ECOWAS court for determination.
The verdict to compensate the former Vice President was handed down by the ECOWAS court following the removal of Chief Sam from the Vice President Seat few years back.
The Court’s verdict indicates that Chief Sam’s removal was unlawful and that all emoluments and benefits due him must be paid.
The verdict means that government was supposed to have paid Chief Sam’s emoluments for the term served as Vice President.
The verdict is an obligation on any government in power regardless of the party in power.
Chief Sam, determined to pursue government to the ECOWAS Court, has described government’s failure as a “political deception.”
“Government is deceptive as they fail to live up to their promises. They lied and deceived the nation. As a peaceful man, I will use the court of law to get what I deserve,” the former Vice President declared.
Former vice President, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana
The intention to drag government to court has been expressed by Chief Sam who was arbitrarily removed from Office of Vice President few years back.
In an interview few days ago, the former Vice President also strengthened his intention to defend his right at the ECOWAS Court.
Chief Sam mentioned several instances in which the current government is a fit object for the ECOWAS Court.
Immediately after his removal from the VP’s office in 2016, the ruling SLPP Government then in opposition issued a press release condemning the action of former President, Ernest Bai Koroma.
The SLPP press release at that time saw the removal of Chief Sam as arbitrary and unlawful.
Other instances showed that in the Presidential address marking the state opening of parliament, the issue of compensation of the former Vice President was also mentioned by President Julius Maada Bio.
The compensation factor of Chief Sam was central to the SLPP Government as it was also mentioned in other documents such as the Governance Transition Team and the Justice Biobele Commission of Inquiry (COI) reports.
These instances, in totality, indicate that government must abide by the ECOWAS verdict as the issue was the main factor used in the SLPP campaign in 2018.
Upon coming to power in 2018, SLPP Government showed signs of its commitment to its promises by assigning security personnel to guard the former Vice President as the laws of the land demand.
Government’s commitment regarding Chief Sam’s compensation was short-lived as it showed signs of complete betrayal.
The withdrawal of security details from the former Vice President marked the beginning of government’s neglect of its duty.
The withdrawal of security personnel left Chief Sam vulnerable to attacks on his person.
The physical attack of Chief Sam suffered in the hands of some youths and police officers in PortLoko were a case in point.
“When I was attacked in PortLoko, there was no security around me and safety is the most important,” the former Vice President said.
Owing to the controversy surrounding the issue, the former Inspector-General was invited to parliament to justify his action.
The most frustrating aspect of government’s betrayal was its failure to pay benefits to the former Vice President.
On two occasions, SLPP Government has paid benefits to former ministers, ambassadors and other government officials, while Chief Sam was left out.
Chief Sam was made running mate to former President Koroma in the run up to 2007 elections which saw him emerge as Vice President.
The former Vice President served former President Koroma in his two terms.
The relationship between the two eminent personalities turned sour in the early part of President Koroma’s second term owing to what many party stalwarts referred to as anti-party activities.
The allegations made the former Vice President an object of investigation by the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the All People’s Congress, the party’s highest decision-making body.
NAC’s adverse findings resulted into the expulsion of Chief Sam from the party which became a precursor to the arbitrary removal from from Office of the Vice President.
Being a peaceful and law-abiding citizen of Sierra Leone, Chief Sam challenged his removal in the Supreme Court, the country’s highest court.
The Supreme Court verdict did not favour Chief Sam compelling him to take the matter to the West African Court, ECOWAS Court.
After the court’s hearings, it arrived at a conclusion that the removal of the former Vice President was unlawful.
Consequently, the court ordered that all emoluments that due Chief Sam must be paid to him as he was still recognised at that time to be Vice President.
To date, SLPP Government has failed comply with the court’s order creating room for Chief Sam to seek another relief at the same court, but this time, with a different government.