By COCORIOKO REPORTERS
Sierra Leoneans are accusing the Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC) of politically-motivated efforts to open investigations on Former First Lady, Sia Nyama Koroma to remove focus from the present First Lady Fatima Bio, who is the one who has come under intense spotlight recently for rampant corruption, embezzlement of public funds and wasteful spending .
Apparently peeved by the harsh attacks on the commission for failure to investigate revelations by the 2019 Audit report and investigative reports by the AFRICANIST PRESS that First Lady Fatima Bio is involved in very serious corruption and wasteful spending of the nation’s monies from the Consolidated Fund, the AC C decided to bend down to public sentiments at last—But with a well contrived trick to seemingly shield Fatima Bio.
Instead of announcing that they are opening investigations on the allegations against Fatima Bio, the ACC instead announced that they are investigating former First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma as well as Fatima Bio.
The addition of Sia Nyama Koroma is being deemed by Sierra Leoneans as a diversion from the main culprit , Fatima Bio who is the one presently under fire for corruption and profligacy. This has led to allegations from Sierra Leoneans and even the outgoing U.S. Ambassador , Mrs. Maria Brewer , that the Anti-Corruption Commission is not fair in its investigations and is only concentrating on the former APC Government.
Sierra Leoneans accuse the ACC of not being serious at all to fight corruption . This was also the message conveyed to the ACC by the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mrs. Maria Brewer , who, during an appearance on Radio Democracy 98.1 , warned the SLPP Government :
“We certainly encourage them to do more in the anti Corruption. We can only really judge the anti_ _Corruption measures when they turn the focus inward and not just at the previous administration…you really have to consider: are you truly committed or is it just a way to punish the old guys_”
HERE IS A READER’S COMMENT
The Press Release issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC) does not show impartial attitude and readiness to fight Corruption in Sierra Leone.
The fight against corruption MUST BE patriotic and nationalistic.
The Press Release is a defence for the present First Lady. The political loyalty of the ACC is becoming very much clear to even those who are not academically educated.
The Press Release has characterised the ACC as being a political shield for few people; who are political loyalists to the Bio’s Administration against the State. The Release is precipitated by the Africanist Press’s corruption revelations and also occasioned by the US Ambassador’s statement. The Statement by the US Ambassador shows the selective and malicious fight against corruption exhibiting by the ACC.
That statement immediately came after she had got a proper insight and pure evidence of massive corruptions investigated by the Africanist Press on financial irregularities and capital flight on graft.
Citing a section from The Public Financial Management Act, 2016 attempting to build a premise of defence on behalf of the present First Lady, that such section therein gives her legitimacy to access state fund is demonic and baberic to the highest level of unpatriotism.
His Excellency declared a war against corruption and not a competition for corruption. The fight against corruption must be genuine and not hypocritical type. The effort to fight corruption by the Africanist Press has exposed the lack of integrity and sincerity of the ACC.
We thank the Africanist Press for its patriotic work to fight corruption.The ACC Commissioner will be responsible as an accomplice to corruption if he fails to do the needful which is patriotic and nationalistic in his duty .
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