By Ralph Sesay
The Anti-Corruption Commission has disclosed to journalists in Freetown that, one of the indicted accused, in the 2017 Hajj gate matter, has presented US$ 60,000 to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Emmanuel Koivaya Amara, ACC prosecutor, told newsmen that the accused has presented the US$60,000and informed them that it was part of the funds for the 2017 hajj. He told newsmen that they have received the money and subsequently charged the accused.
The ACC prosecutor denied any knowledge of an out of court settlement with the accused as widely rumored in the country.He disclosed that the ACC was reviewing a number of cases including the NASSIT/SISIMI, Shears Moses, Hajj gate, Sierra Rutile and TPMS cases, while noting that some have been sent for legal opinionwhile others have been completed and ready for prosecution.
On the NASSIT/SISIMI case, he disclosed that the CEO of SISIMI has consented to pay to the government of Sierra Leone US$ 1.2 million.An initial amount of US$ 500,000 has been lodged into the ACC account, while a commitment has also been by the CEO to be paying US$ 100,000 on a monthly basis.
This, he noted, will not preclude the ACC from charging the matter if ever there is sufficient evidence.
“We would not settle for anything that is not in the interest of the country in this corruption matters,” Mr. Amara noted.
Mr. Koivaya observed that the new ACC boss is very much determined to create a special court for prosecution of corruption cases and that discussion with the Chief Justice and his team is at advanced stages. A Sierra Leonean Judge and the facilities of the former Special Court for Sierra Leone are on the verge of being rehabilitated to serve that purpose.
He concluded by disclosing that the ACC has in their custody as of last evening the Finance Officer and other officials from NATCOM, who, according to him, are presently being investigated on alleged corruption offences.
It will be recalled that the Anti-graft Agency, with its firebrand czar, has arrested a number of big fishes since taking over on the 28th July,2018 and his determined actions have led to the recovery of billions of leones from corrupt officials.
The Government of President Bio is also expected to soon set up a judge-led Commission of Inquiry alongside a special forensic audit.
Opposition supporters have damned the move, referring to it as witch hunting. They noted that the fight has only targeted past APC officials leaving out civil servants and other government functionaries who are currently serving in the present regime and are perceived to have taken strategic decisions in the last regime.