Sierra Leone Telegraph: 14 December 2021:
Dr Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara – the 2018 presidential candidate for the opposition APC in Sierra Leone, has this morning appeared in court on corruption charges relating to the disappearance of millions of dollars meant for the reconstruction of the Sierra Leone Chancery Building in New York.
Dr Kamara has always protested his innocence as former minister of foreign affairs, under whose stewardship the cash is said to have been misappropriated.
He is charged with One Count of deceiving a principal and One count of misappropriation of public funds amounting to Two Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Thousand United States Dollars ($2,560,000) meant for the reconstruction of the Sierra Leone Chancery Building in New York.
Writing in a statement three days ago, this is what Dr. Samura Kamara said:
“My Fellow Sierra Leoneans, I Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, APC Presidential candidate in 2018 and now a very prominent presidential aspirant for 2023, have lived and worked for over 40 years in Sierra Leone and other credible international organizations as a trustworthy public official.
“Never has my name been associated with criminality. I have never been accused of any corrupt practice. I have never been in court on any charges whatsoever.
“This nation and many international organizations have been very proud of my track record and performances in the various capacities of Economist at BSL, Financial Secretary at the Ministry of
“Finance, Governor at BSL, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations.
“I have diligently and honourably again served several international institutions, in particular, the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, the World Bank, the IMF, the African Union at various times on numerous assignments.
“That confidence you had in me afforded me the opportunity of being selected as the flag bearer of the APC in the 2018 Presidential election.
“Now, I am charged with corruption and to appear in court on two counts on Tuesday, 14th December 2021.
“I am very innocent of those charges though they may have tended to smear my name and hard-earned reputation, affecting my family, supporters, and admirers.
“It will be a trial of the character of Samura Kamara, the professional whom you have all known for over 40 years in public service for my nation.
“Like many people who have gone through such challenges, mine is a test of my stamina and resilience. But the resolve to help my people through quality and effective leadership shall never wane under such allegations.
“I shall come out clean and smelling of roses and reinvigorated in the belief that State Institutions must serve the people according to the law and be devoid of partisan political sentiments and prejudices.
“Once again, let me re-echo my belief in the fight against corruption and the strengthening of state institutions to work independently.
“I ask my family, supporters, and admirers to chronicle the events, remain calm and patient as the proceedings progress, and not play into the hands of the trigger-happy security and government personnel.
“I ask for your prayers and solidarity. Long live the nation of Sierra Leone. Long Live the All Peoples Congress.”
Anyway Mr. Kamara I personally applauded the good guess writer that painted a better image of yours to the country and the whole world entirely. It is good to have some loyal friends around you, should in case, never mind whatever happens to this case against you, because I can’t mention the word” allegation”, the truth will come to light soon. I have said this before, and today I will say it clearly that, no matter what, we the Sierra Leoneans will never elect “a mirror” president in the state house, period. You can hold -up an image of the former president H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma to show to we the voters that, you Dr. Samura Kamara, have no decision on your own as a head of state, but the life chairman is. Now I am talking to my Kono brothers and sisters the voters particularly, watch your steps and make a wise decision.
Today I have one question to throw on some of the voters: what was the cause and the causes for Chief “Alhaji Samuel Sam Sumana” to joins back APC party and totally abandoned C4C? did he regrets his actions? who urged him to take this wrong path? does he wanted to become another VP again?. I am totally flabbergasted and disappointed at this gentleman, don’t you believe that if you were a Limba by tribe, this won’t happen?. I gave 100% credit to H.E. Dr. Breg. Julius Maada Bio the president and leader of the country, to worked tirelessly for this country at this critical moment. He’s the best” Tylenol” right now.
It’s now obvious why the lifetime leader and chairman of the destructive APC party decided to choose this DRUNKARD as his stooge and candidate for the 2018 presidential election. He was hoping that as his successor, he will be the remote control of his government to cover up his loot. Thanks to ACC Commissioner Ben Kaifala for giving him the opportunity to prove his innocence.