After two cancelled events that almost brought chaos in the country, the Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC ) on Monday finally interviewed former President Ernest Koroma on a number of allegations of corruption while in office.
The first scheduled interview which was to have taken place in Makeni did not materialize. The ACC complained that they were impeded by thousands od pro-Ernest Koroma supporters . What had happened was that massive crowds appeared that day in Makeni to show solidarity to the former President and spokesmen of ex-president Koroma denied that the ACC was impeded.
The second scheduled interview in Freetown last week also failed to hold because ex-President Koroma did not turn up, after the SLPP threatened him that he will be held responsible for any chaos emanating from the event , while also not providing security for the former president. Considering the volatile situation and wary of being blamed for any chaos as threatened and not wanting any confusion to break out, Dr. Ernest Koroma took the precautionary decision not to appear. He sent out the following tweets to explain reasons for his decision :
The apparent standoff between the ACC and the former President led to a BBC report by correspondent Umaru Fofana who stated that he had been told by the ACC Commissioner Ben Kiefala that if the ex-president continued refusing to attend, the ACC would issue a warrant of arrest for him. This was followed by followed by the itself saying that ACC that they were giving the ex-president 72 hours to appear or they will issue an arrest warrant.
This BBC report and the ACC statement inflamed the situation. Supporters of the former President dared the ACC to try arresting Ernest Koroma and see the reaction they will receive. Some Sierra Leoneans also regarded the threat as wholly irresponsible and uncalled-for and that the ACC was not approaching the matter in a professional manner.
It was reported that the British High Commission intervened in the standoff and facilitated a more harmonious handling of the situation.
The interview was finally held on Monday at an undisclosed location. According to the ACC, “The said interview took place at one of the Commission’s secured “Safe Houses”.
After the interview, hundreds of supporters of former President Koroma gave him a rousing reception on the streets of the capital and at his Femi Turner home at Lumley., AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTOS BELOW. The popularity of former President Koroma continues to worry the ruling SLPP.
*H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma tweet*
*I have just concluded the much anticipated interview with the ACC. The chat was conducted smoothly and amicably.*
*I honoured the ACC’s invitation, to demonstrate my unwavering commitment to peace & the rule of law. It was my commitment to the fight against corruption that led me to strengthen the
ACC, making it one of the strongest anti – corruption institutions in Africa, under my tenure.*
*Again, I remain unperturbed and ever determined to protect my good name.*
*Profound appreciations to supporters, well – wishers for you solidarity and thanks to the International Community for facilitating a smooth and peaceful process.*
*I will do everything to protect the peace I helped to build and consolidate. #sierraleone*
APC STATEMENT ON THE INTERVIEW
The Leadership of the All Peoples Congress (APC), wishes to inform our members, supporters and the public that the Chairman and Leader of our party, former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma availed himself today for the much anticipated interview with the Anti-Corruption Commission.
The interview was conducted in a respectful, dignified and amicable environment and despite all efforts to complete the interview today, it could not be completed due to time constraints.
The former President is cooperating fully and intends to continue in that vein and the interview will continue on a date to be agreed upon by the parties.
The Chairman and Leader has always insisted on his willingness to be interviewed and his commitment to transparency and accountability, and continues to reassure the public of this committment.
We urge all members and supporters to continue to remain calm and abide by the laws of Sierra Leone.
The former President is not under arrest or facing any constraints. He is in good spirits and extends his thanks and appreciation to his supporters and well wishers for their support and
prayers.
Long live the APC
Long live Sierra Leone
Ambassador Osman F Yansaneh
National Secretary General
THE ACC STATEMENT ON THE INTERVIEW
*ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION*
*CATHEDRAL HOUSE*
*3 GLOUCESTER STREET*
*FREETOWN*
*SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA*
*Ref: ACC/PR/20/034* *23rd NOVEMBER, 2020*
*PRESS RELEASE*
*ACC INTERVIEWS FORMER PRESIDENT, DR. ERNEST BAI KOROMA*
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the general public that it has on Monday 23rd November, 2020, commenced and proceeded with the interview of the former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, in relation to investigations into allegations of corruption, whilst he was President of the country, from 2007 to 2018.
The said interview took place at one of the Commission’s secured “Safe Houses”. The interview will continue on another date agreed between the ACC and former President Koroma’s lawyers.
In this light, the Commission wishes to reassure the general public of its determination to continue discharging its mandate as provided for in the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008 as Amended in 2019.
For further enquiries on this and other ACC matters, please contact *MR. MORIS IBRAHIM KANTEH*, the *Assistant Public Relations Officer* on *+232-78-832131.*
…………………………..
*PATRICK SANDI*
*DIRECTOR, PUBLIC* *EDUCATION AND OUTREACH*
—————————————————————————–
REPORT BY JOURNALIST RANGER
ACC & Former President Ernest Koroma’s Interview…
By Ranger
The much talked about and long awaited interview of former President Ernest Bai Koroma by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), headed by Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala finally took place on the 23rd November 2020.
According to the Director of Public Education and Outreach at the ACC, Patrick Sandy, the interview lasted for six hours, breaking off at 5:00pm adding how the former President was very cooperative and willing. He also highlighted that the interview bordered around a gamut of issues and they were able to deal with only 20% of the issues meaning that there is a remaining 80% of other issues which the interview will have to delve into.
Sandy categorically pointed out that it is not to the knowledge of the ACC that the interview was made possible by the intervention of the International Community as it is been alluded that it was the British High Commission that brought the two sides together. It has been stated that the former President is been probed by the ACC for allegations of corruption whilst he governed this country from 2007 to 2018.
The meeting between the former President and the ACC is said to have taken place at one of the Commission’s secured “Safe Houses”. According to what was understood Koroma denied the allegations stating how they are part of a smearing campaign.
One of the lawyers of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara aka JFK, on his part, made mention that from the onset their client has been willing to cooperate with the ACC but what they were preoccupied with was managing the taking place of the proposed interview and State security.
He said the participation of their client in the said interview had nothing to do with any imminent issuance of a warrant of arrest.“As far as I know allegations of money laundering, operating various foreign bank accounts, abuse of executive orders did not come up during the interview.
Our client believes all what he did while in office were done within the confines of the law,” he stated adding that some of the questions that came up have been already posed by the Commission of Inquiry and already they have lodged an appeal in the courts saying they will see how they could manage that.
He expressed satisfaction with the process and stoutly refuted that their client was put on bail also pointing out that once their concerns bordering on State security and the personal safety of their client is assured and guaranteed, the former President is willing to do an interview wherever the ACC deems convenient.
It could be recalled that two previously scheduled interviews of former President Koroma by the ACC failed to take place, one in Makeni, his home town, simply because his supporters prevented the ACC from accessing his house where the interview was supposed to take place. On the second occasion, in Freetown, last Thursday, because his lawyers cited insufficient security further stating that they were wary of an eruption of unrest and do not want their client to be held responsible.Meanwhile, the Leadership of the All Peoples Congress (APC), of which Ernest Bai Koroma is Chairman and Leader, has informed its members, supporters and the public that the interview was conducted in a respectful, dignified and amicable environment and despite all efforts to complete the interview it could not be completed due to time constraints.
It continued that the former President is cooperating fully and intends to continue in that vein furthering how the interview will continue on a date to be agreed upon by the parties.In a tweet by former President Ernest Bai Koroma he wrote:“I have just concluded the much anticipated interview with the ACC.
The chat was conducted smoothly and amicably.I honoured the ACC’s invitation, to demonstrate my unwavering commitment to peace & the rule of law. It was my commitment to the fight against corruption that led me to strengthen the ACC, making it one of the strongest anti – corruption institutions in Africa, under my tenure.Again,
I remain unperturbed and ever determined to protect my good name.Profound appreciations to supporters, well – wishers for you solidarity and thanks to the International Community for facilitating a smooth and peaceful process.I will do everything to protect the peace I helped to build and consolidate.”
