Sierra Leone Telegraph: 7 June 2019:
2018 Presidential Candidate for the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party – Dr Samura Kamara, has been summoned to give evidence in the inquiry into the sale of government’s shares in the Sierra Rutile Company Ltd., which is alleged to have been sold by the former president Ernest Bai Koroma to his nephew – John Sisay at a knockdown price.
Sesay is reported to have then gone on to sell the company to an Australian mining group for hundreds of millions of dollars.
Samura Kamara is believed to have been the finance minister in the Koroma government, who would have either signed documents for the sale of Sierra Rutile to Sesay, or had knowledge of the sale.
Photo: President Koroma unilaterally declaring Samura Kamara 2018 APC presidential candidate.
Samura has been summoned to appear in front of Justice Biobele Georgewill next Monday, 10th June 2019, after the former Secretary to President Koroma – Mr. Emmanuel B. Osho Coker who served in that capacity from 2008 to 2018., denied any knowledge of the sale of Sierra Rutile.
Giving evidence at the Commission of Inquiry led by Justice Biobele Georgewill yesterday, the former secretary to president Koroma said he was not aware of the sale of government shares in Sierra Rutile Limited in 2012.
Questioned by lead state counsel – Mrs. Khadija Zainab Bangura, the former secretary to the president revealed that not everything that went to State House passed through him.
Giving evidence for the State, Mr. Sahr Lahai Jusu – government Financial Secretary, tendered a document at the COI which he said he obtained from the Bank of Sierra Leone regarding the sale of the shares that is of interest to the inquiry.
Sahr Lahai Jusu told the inquiry he could not find trace of record regarding the sale of Sierra Rutile in the ministry of finance.
“I requested the Accountant General to provide details in respect of Sierra Rutile shares and the Accountant General came back and could not provide details of the sales…….From the Minister’s office, we could not trace any record regarding the sales of the 30%,” he said.
Asked to confirm who was the minister of finance at the time of the sale of the government’s shares in Sierra Rutile, Sahr Lahai Jusu said it was Dr. Samura Kamara.
Without any further ado, Justice Biobele Georgewill ended the proceedings and ordered the former finance minister and 2018 APC presidential candidate – Dr. Samura Kamara to appear before the inquiry next Monday 10 June 2019. The inquiry was adjourned.
Dr. Samura Kamara is the most senior former APC government official, so far summoned to appear at the Commission of Inquiry, with many expected to follow suit in the coming days.
Former transport minister – Logus Balogun Koroma as well the former minister of energy – Henry Macauley, were summoned to appear before Justice William Annan Attuguba yesterday, Thursday 6 June 2019, to give evidence in the matter regarding the illegal awarding of contract amounting to over $5 million to Barrows Construction Ltd for the Lungi Airport Terminal Building Rehabilitation Project.
Mr Moiba – Firstly, I owe my loyalty and allegiance to no one but Almighty God; For who is it that can give the breath of life to all living creatures other than Him. To even suggest that a majority of Sierra Leoneans will agree with your standpoint is outright preposterous.
Do you really believe that people would rather see a tribal war instead of peace over filthy stolen monies? Absolutely not! After carefully giving Bio a second critical look, that was the only credible and logical conclusion we could settle for. You can disagree all you want but it is nothing but the irrefutable truth. And remember it was Kabbah and Koroma that cut him loose, not me.
If you have an ethical, moral and political axe to grind, then those two would have been the ones for you to confront, challenge and admonish. SLPP supporters who think Bio is a saint, whose hands are squeaky clean, in my opinion are as naive as little children going to school for the first time, thinking it will be only just for one day. Truly laughable.
And there’s more – they aptly resemble mumbling, raving and ranting old men without any teeth, whom their wives were able to convince can chew and enjoy roasted corn on the cob, not knowing it was just a clever trick to keep them occupied, mute and quiet. Outright hilarious!
Here’s a reality everyone must deal with, most politicians have personal agendas, goals and motivations that supersedes in their eyes the interest of the State. Citizens having no running water, lack of electricity, hospitals and schools is of no consequence to them at all.
As a fly sitting on an elephant cannot break it’s back, so also are the cries and complaints of the poor masses – they don’t make even the slightest impressions or get the attention of our leaders at all. Let me reiterate myself, they cut him loose in order for Peace to Prevail – so Anthony, deal with it! Rising Sun Will Rise Again!
Mr. CONTEH – I’m indeed surprised and shocked to read your comment. I disagree with you and I think the majority of Sierra Leoneans would too.
“LET PEACE PREVAIL”- at the cost of the poor and underprivileged in Salone?
“LET PEACE PREVAIL”- so that EBK and his Clan can live a comfortable life?
“LET PEACE PREVAIL”- but we as a Nation can be deprived of good schools, good health care, good infrastructure and sufficient food supply.
Your loyalty to the APC and EBK in particular trumps the loyalty to the Constitution and the Rule of Law in our country. We as a Nation cannot afford to let go those who have pushed our country down the drain!
Mr Moiba – If you would just take a minute and read through my comments again, you will be able to see that there are many questions I’ve asked you that you have still not yet answered. In spite of that, I will answer yours. Three words – LET PEACE PREVAIL – that’s the reason why Tejan Kabba and Koroma never brought charges against Bio.
Those two men were matured and discerning enough to know it will become a long drawn out process that could breach and compromise the security of the State, and destabilize the nation as is the case right now. So they let him off the hook. Like a big fish that got caught in an ocean, whose weight could flip and capsize their boats if hauled on board, they let him out of their grips.
I must confess that he got lucky, the scales of reason and good sense of judgement weighed and valuated him correctly, and decided for logical and expedient reasons to cut him loose. And there you have it – the answer to your question. Clear enough? Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
Mr. Conteh, my question you’ve not answered and I’ll repeat it…Why did EBK during his 11 years in office not brought charges against then private man Bio? Was it because he was convinced that there was no evidence to back up his claim; or corruption for him was just a game which all politicians have to play?
Personally I believe that people sometimes pity most APC members especially when they are going through mood swings – sometimes angry outbursts and sometimes they become very emotional by just keep on whining which is so irritating that they tend to get under your skin.
But the unfortunate thing is that they are all men, because if those whiners were women, they should have been ignored. Since it seems that the net is now closing in on them, I hope from Monday they will choose to swing back to the emotional mood (complaining and even crying) because the security forces has always been accommodating with them during that process.
Even if they prefer to be sprayed with some baby milk powder (Lactogen or Cerelac), I believe that the police will be ok with that in order to pacify them to be peaceful and law abiding. But if they choose to be violent and lawless again, then tear gas or water canons should to be used instead of bullets to bring them back to their senses.
My advice to most of the leaders (men) of the APC is to make use of their “ Adam’s Apple “ by talking less, because saying the wrong things at the wrong time always have consequences.
Mr Moiba – do you have any idea about the implications of what you just said? I am quite sure you don’t, otherwise you would never have uttered such an outrageous, poorly conceived statement. Who says he cannot investigate himself? Firstly, If he was truly serious about fighting corruption, he should have released all his administrative records during his Military regime. Fair enough!
Secondly, for the purposes of credibility, good governance and transparency, without being asked, he should have provided evidence of all his financial holdings and obligations for the world, the media and the general pubic to be able to assess and carefully examine them. Everything, no holding back – every cent and penny, assets, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, entitlements, cash in hand, investment and business ventures.
And who said that he cannot investigate himself? It was you, wasn’t it? Well, think again, there’s more. If he wants to be taken seriously he should provide the citizens of this nation concrete and valid proofs and documentations of unliquidated liabilities, debts and damages that are responsibilities, he alone must bear – for who knows, he may be tempted to “Reap Off” a fragile, struggling nation just to pay off his debts, if indeed he is owing any.
Had he done any of the things mentioned above, I would have been convinced that he is serious about moving our nation forward. But the truth is that he hasn’t – he is holding out on us, playing us for Suckers and I’m not having it!
There’s nothing legitimate in an agenda with shady, ulterior and hidden motives; absolutely nothing! Count me out, not buying any of it! Sell that to men who are gullible like mice being caught in traps made of cheese, over and over again. Count me out Anthony, I have better things to do with my time…Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
MR. Saidu Conteh, it is becoming crystal clear that immediately we leave the hot waters of the “raising sun” (of course with the help of the Sierra Leone Telegraph) we happen to agree on almost everything.
Just a reminder; the COI is not here to molest or humilate any hard working Sierra Leonean but to sharpen the importance of accountability of our elected officials towards the silent majority and try to halt corruption.
As Mr. LASANAH SACCOH (…hidden truth) has repeatedly said the average small thief is sent to jail whereas the majority of the politicians go free…..this brutal injustice we all have to stop!! You will agree with me as a Salone man, that it is not fair.
Finally concerning the allegations against President Bio during his first term as head of state to have embezzled monies belonging to us, my question is: why did former President Kabbah and former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma not prosecute him?? Of course President Bio cannot prosecute himself so let us wait for 2023 in order to know more – but for the present time let’s lay it to rest!!
Mr Tucker, I couldn’t help but smile after reading your words. Although, you may think everyone connected to the APC is corrupt, there are many of us with morals, values and standards that can never be compromised and tainted through corruption. You can count on it!
There is a season appointed for all things – an order has been given to change the methods that promote the madness you are witnessing in our politics today and it is only the Almighty that will bring it to pass – mortal beings are just dust in the wind; no man can change anything through the use of force, unless it is written by the hand of Almighty God. The APC is not perfect, but it is the most peace-loving, welcoming, pragmatic, down to earth, political party in Sierra Leone. We are one family – we eat, sleep and pray together, and best of all, we remain single minded and undeterred when collectively fighting against injustice. Rising Sun Will Rise Again!
Mr Moiba, it must appear in other ways than just words that this government parading, itself as soldiers against corruption, is not deliberately targeting the APC to rid themselves of any formidable opposition in the near future. It is crystal clear to me, they have hidden motives that are cunningly disguised in the garments of patriotism they are now boldly wearing.
Ask yourself, why are they targeting only APC officials? Why not those who worked under Tejan Kabba also? To be frank, if we are actually serious about fighting corruption and sanitizing this nation completely, and make it squeaky clean, then men like Strasser and Bio who committed barbaric crimes against humanity must also be called to give account of their stewardship whilst in power.
Yep, let us go the whole nine yards! Reliable, confidential sources have confirmed to me that Bio and others looted millions of dollars before they finally handed over power. Only the hands of Strasser I am told, remained almost untainted by theft during his years in office. So now almost overnight, the acts of the filthiest criminals the nation have ever seen,have been quietly swept under a rug, thrown out of the window of genuine transparency and accountability?
If we are going to open infected wounds, clean and drain them for the purposes of enhancing healing, then let us open them not partly, but completely all the way.Strange times indeed, the burglar that broke into the house, ransacked and robbed it has now been appointed as the foremost and sole Custodian, watching over it! I just can’t stop laughing at how gullible you guys really are!
Even little ewe lambs with fragile knees that buckle as they walk or run, can recognize a wolf when they see one; and it said, that blood-licking, hungry hyenas know also, that those cute woolly beings, are cautiously aware that they are the most vicious of all hunters,they will ever see. Trust me, I can recognise treachery and deceit when i see it!
I would advise my comrades in the APC to privately look into the affairs of Bio and his cronies during the days of their military regime and they will be alarmed at the truckloads of dirt their eyes are going to see. Now hear me out again – I am totally against theft in all its despicable forms, but I am also a strong believer in pragmatism, justice and fairness.
I am quite aware that Dr Samura is competent enough to answer any questions given to him, but for what logical reasons are they turning such proceedings into a political charade? It is just an outrageous, substandard way of governance that even the worst illiterates would never use to chart and direct the course and affairs of any nation.
How many times must I drill it into the heads of these people that Peace is Paramount and above everything else? And although you find rivers overflowing with diamonds, without Peace it is nothing. Again, I ask you, of what benefit is it to our nation, to drag hardworking, reputable men in front of courts to ridicule, diminish and humiliate them and their families?
Is that how things are supposed to be legitimately done Antony? You guys ought to be smarter than that!The time is coming – When the Sun shines, we will all shine together – Rising Sun Will Rise Again!
Emmanuel, according to the article, no documents have been found relating to the said deal. Right. All those who have been approached said they do not have any information. Now, they have decided to invite Dr. Samura Kamara. I doubt he is going to hand over documents.
Secondly, as you could remember during the campaign, the US$18.000.000 issue came up. Voters were hoping that light would be shed on this matter when the next government takes over. It never happened even as we speak.
Emmanuel, do you know how much hours the judges have to spend just finding documents? Let us not forget that, the COI was given a very short time to complete this job. I do not think they would be in position to complete their job in the time they were given. What would happen next is, they would have to ask PARLIAMENT for more time. You know what will happen.
Finally my dear BROTHER and FORUMITE Emmanuel, I will never support CORRUPTION but at the same time, I will always try to make RESPONSIBLE and HONEST comments to the best of my ability. Thanks Emmanuel for your concerns. By the way, I am always ready to answer the concerns of anyone. Sometimes, you can make mistakes and someone else would pick it up and bring his/her concerns on the subject. You can then apologize if it is wrong or correct it. Simple as that. People often do it on this platform – which I applaud everyone on this platform for.
THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT BABY/BROTHER!
Thanks Emmanuel and may GOD BLESS YOU.
The net of the Commissions of Inquiries [COI]and Anti Corruption Commission [ACC]has commenced bringing in the upper echelon of the of the former regime headed by Earnest Koroma.
All the grotesque threats and simulated boldness from APC have not been enough to deter the onward march of the system created by President Bio to rid the country of corruption.
What happened at the APC headquarters a week ago should be a lesson to the rank and file of of the party that engaging the security forces through violence is the most stupid thing to do. It should be the moment when Earnest Koroma, Minkailu Mansaray, Osman Yansaneh and the rest of the super structure of the APC must conclude that the innate violence of the party no longer has a place in society – legitimate and sustained opposition are what should pull them through.
Assuming that the security forces were under orders to arrest Osman Yansaneh and Minkailu Mansaray who were in the APC building a week ago, can anybody tell me what or who would have had the nerve to impede them? At the sound of tear gas canisters being released by the police, everybody melted away in the unshakable belief that their rendezvous with death was at hand. They were more scared than a rabbit coming face to face with a mountain cat.
Dr Samura understands all this,nand that is why he has not protested his invitation to appear at the COI. He has not been criminally charged with anything; it is a bid on the part of the Commissioners to understand certain things which are still shrouded in mystery involving a substantial amount of money. He [Dr Samura Kamara]knows the consequences of defying a legally empanelled body for a specific goal. He should now serve as a beacon for Earnest Koroma and others who are in hallucination that they are above the law. If they allow a warrant to be issued for their arrest, nothing can stop the same security forces, who showed a little of their wherewithal at the APC headquarters a week ago, from executing the arrest.
I must stress once again as I have done in the past that I detest both APC and SLPP, although there are individuals in both of them that I politically like. Currently I like President Bio for trying to stem the tide of corruption in the country. I have always loathed corruption even as a little boy growing up in the Wilkinson Road/Lumley area, born of parents who were both northerners – my father from Konkay and my mother from Kamalo.
Mr. Saiďu Conteh, I think Dr. Samura Kamara who was one of our financial experts in several past governments could be of help to the COI in their investigations into the sale of Sierra Rutile shares. The same goes also for the former energy minister concerning the airport renovation.
May I remind you that in Sierra Leone it’s not only the interest of APC and SLPP that should be satisfied but also the large silent majority of peace loving Salone People who just want peace and sustainable progress. Please use your intelligence and expertise for the good of our country.
Dr. S. Kamara and others are mature enough to answer questions put to them by the COI on their own, without the help of their party or a crowd of supporters.
Witnesses can prove it and was his duty to keep a copy somewhere right?
APC folks will never stay out of trouble. If the documents for the sale of the shares of Sierra Rutile are not at the Ministry of Finance, then it is very possible that Dr. Samura Kamara may have destroyed them. But this will not vindicate the former foreign affairs minister of wrongdoing, as the judge would simply subpoena the current owners of Sierra Rutile and force them to produce any documents relating to their purchase of the company.
The APC is an inherently corrupt organization. It is easy to discern why the party has resorted to overt lawlessness. In the face of president Julius Bio’s robust campaign against corruption, the APC feels threatened about its very existence as a viable party. Consequently, it must resort to activities that have the tendency to distract the government from its objective of restoring Sierra Leone’s lost glory.
APC members believe that a campaign of calumny and lawlessness would somehow temper the government’s momentum in the fight against corruption and malfeasance. They are dead wrong. The fight against corruption and lawlessness will continue. It is a fight that the government must win.
Additionally, if APC folks believe that lawlessness would discourage foreign investors from coming to Sierra Leone, something must be seriously wrong with them. President Bio’s fight against corruption resonates around the world. And as is also evident, the government is determined to clamp down on lawlessness. Foreign investors are attracted to countries that fight corruption and lawlessness.
The APC will lose its fight against civil society and the rule of law. As inherently corrupt and lawless an organization as the APC is, it is also a dysfunctional, unhealthy and ineffective alignment.
Finally the Day of Judgement is here, after the people of Sierra Leone gave the APC party (2007 election) another opportunity to redeem themselves from the catastrophic way that they ruled and plundered our nation from 1967 – 1992 .
The Almighty blessed our young and dynamic soldiers with the power to kick them out of power through the sound of a gunshot which drove the Boys Scouts or so called Brigadier President Joseph Saidu Momoh into exile for the rest of his life. Records will prove that those soldiers are the youngest in history to have ceased power around the world.
From 2007-2018 the people of Sierra Leone trusted former President Koroma and the APC party once more; and I hope and pray that he and his team will be judged fairly before the COI. I hope the APC will not take shortcuts to evade the process by inciting or perpetrating violence. As the scriptures always says “You will Reap whatever you sow”.
I’ve said it a hundred times before, and I have been counting – the SLPP is not here to govern in peace but to create confusion, spread mayhem and promote chaos. They keep on searching every nook, cranny and crevice tirelessly for that one elusive spark that will ignite a frightening firestorm that will engulf us all. It seems to me with their latest move, they are getting closer to the fulfilment of such a catastrophic dream.
Let them be reminded that by summoning the APC flag bearer to appear before a commission of enquiry, they are now treading on ground that resembles ice thinner than paper – any minute it can collapse from beneath their feet. They must now tread softly!
I mean seriously, lets assess their pathetic lack of good judgment and ineptitude for minute. In a Country that is evenly divided along tribal lines, why would someone, anyone who is not mentally unbalanced keep on consistently intimidating, harassing and picking fights with people with different political beliefs, morals and traditional values than your own?
Why pour fuel on fires already being stoked and fanned by the anger of more than half the people of this nation, whose minds are filled with bitterness, disgust and contempt for you? And their numbers are eye popping, staggering numbers in the millions.
Instead of governing in peace and quiet, they keep on drawing unnecessary attention to themselves – now every satanic spirit, demon and evil monster that we had shackled and kept in chains through the help and mercy of Almighty God are anxiously, waiting to be released.
In little things, big things are hidden. We are fully aware that this is all a ploy, craftily designed to tarnish the image and reputation of the former President. I never thought our nation would go back to ‘square one again’, far backwards than all the poorest nations in the world, but it’s easy to see, its going to be so – and that day is not too far away.
If reason doesn’t overcome unbridled emotion and restraint, and prudence cannot keep Pride and arrogance in check, prepare yourselves for the worst to come. Its all in their hands. They can let peace prevail or allow anarchy to take pre-eminence in the affairs of the State. Its all on the shoulders and hands of the SLPP!
And remember wherever anarchy and chaos abound, only the most ruthless and lawless are the ones to wear the crown…Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
Good evening brother. As a very intelligent sierra leonean, why are you always uneasy when issues about corruption pertaining to your party is in an article. When you continue supporting those corrupt persons in your party, your political future is doom. I hope you were not partaking in those corrupt practices. Thanks
I just asked about how the COI was doing before this article came in. So, the COI is active and just doing fine. Long time no news. Any case against Dr. Samura Kamara must be looked at cautiously. Remember that US$8.000.000 issue during the campaign?
Now, we are hearing that no documents are available on this Sierra Rutile deal to implicate Dr. Kamara. My question is, how is the COI going to get the documents from Dr. Kamara? It is now clear that the COI has a long road to conclusion. Welcome to the COI.
In my view, this COI has not been properly thought through. Now as time is ticking, we are seeing scenarios which raise serious questions such as who or what the inquiry is aimed at? I think this whole process must now be abandoned to prevent wasting huge sums of money.
In reality, it is only in a country like ours you can actually see this extraordinary display of madness. This inquiry is set up in such a way that it violates several principles; particularly the principle of no discrimination. It is clear that these people are targeted because of their political affiliation.