01 February, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
FREETOWN – The court of appeal has commenced hearing on appeal filed by persons of interest against the findings and recommendation of the three judge-led Commissions of Inquiry (COI) for the first time.
Sogefel-Sarl and Diana Konomanyi who were named in the government whitepaper and filed appeals against the Commission’s recommendations, appeared before a three-member panel of judges -Justice Fatmata Bintu, Alhadi, Justice Komba Kamanda, and Justice Tonia Barnet on Monday 19 January 2021.
The three presiding Judges unanimously gave directions to the lawyers representing the Appellants and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice that synopsis of the Appellants be filed and served on the respondents by the 1st February 2021, and that the respondents also be served synopsis on the Appellants by 15 February 2021 with both having their authorities attached thereto.
The matter was adjourned to the 22nd February. It could be recalled that the government whitepaper was published on the 24th September 2020, following the conclusion of the three Commissions of Inquiry set up by the President Julius Maada Bio-led administration to look into the activities of former government officials who served in Ernest Bai Koroma’s administration between 2007 and 2018.
The whitepaper adopted some recriminations of the Commissions of Inquiry which include the payment of monies allegedly acquired illegally from state coffers and the confiscation of properties of those found guilty.
The opposition All Peoples Congress Party referred to the whitepaper as a witch-hunt and aimed at deliberately smearing the images of their party and its officials.
The Commissions of Inquiry were set up to impartially look into the financial activities of Ministry Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Parastatals of the past administration of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
