The much-publicized meeting between tha Anti-Corruption Commission ( ACC) and former President Dr. Ernest Koroma in Makeni , during which the ACC would have questioned the ex-president on matters arising from the recent Commissions of inquiry Report and Government White Paper, did not take place.
The Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Ben Keifala, said on Facebook that he and his men were impeded by people he described as compatriots who, he said, had “deployed roadblocks and violence. ” This was what he wrote :
“Our work to cleanse Sierra Leone of Corruption continues in Makeni today; but some of our compatriots have hijacked the highway to prevent us from interviewing former President Koroma. They have deployed roadblocks and violence. But our team is on standby to complete the task. We will fight Corruption!
Rahim Cole reported that “Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruption Commission has called off for today the questioning of former president #ErnestBaiKoroma. It’s unclear when they’ll return. The head of ACC, #FrancisBenKaifala says he decided to do so to “deescalate the situation”. He said his investigators were prevented by supporters of the former President from accessing his residence for the interrogation. : He however reported further that “The spokesman for the APC party of the former president has denied this. Sidi Yayah Tunis said no supporters stopped anyone from accessing the residence. He said their lawyers even offered to drive with the investigators if they felt threatened. He said no roadblocks were set up to the entrance of Mr Koroma whom he said “was and still is” willing to talk to investigators.”
Also, former President Koroma himself tweeted :
Supporters of both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC ) have been trading accusations on social media. While SLPP supporters thought that followers of the former president were unruly and behaving like the ex-head of state was above the law, supporters of the APC felt that , as a matter of fact, the whole process was a witch hunt and designed to humiliate and demean the former president.
Throughout the day, citizens social media activists posted videos showing youths , adults and secret society members jubilating on the streets of Makeni in solidarity with former President, Ernest Koroma. One video showed a crowd forcing 2 minitrucks of police to turn because, as somebody running commentaries said, they were not allowed into the compound of the former president with arms.
Adams Bangura commented that “I remain committed to the peace and security of our beloved country and will continue to do everything to support the fair process of the rule of law. I want this interview with the ACC to go on today by all possible peaceful means.” EBK He also said :
Meanwhile while the ACC interview was ongoing, lawyers of the former president have filed in an appeal against the adverse findings of their client. I’m reliably told.
Later during the day, the office of former President Koroma released the following statement :
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Sam Jay
· What goes around comes around. Bio leadership is built on lawlessness. He first came to power through the barrel of the gun that placed him to stardom and he used violence to silent all other opponents to reclinched the leadership of the SLPP party, though he came back to power by the ballot box however his acquisition into leadership is nothing but egregiously racketeering. So he is reaping what he sowed. The president needs to come clean. He need to represent all Sierra Leoneans. We’re today divided more than ever.
Makeni people I thank you for coming out in solidarity with former president Koroma. Justice cannot be pursued with intimidation and humiliation. Your Hero is still your Hero no matter what other people think of you. If this was to happen in any other part of Sierra Leone, supporters of the accused would also come out to show solidarity no matter how minute or grande they would be You are proving that whom others see as a Devil is actually a hero to you. Follow your hearts and serve your consciences. While you do so, maintain peace and allow the said questioning to take place. The message you are sending to the world is that you cannot support injustice in place of justice simply because somebody else says so. We have seen in the past where former leaders in our country were rounded up, tortured and killed without fair trial all in the name of “fighting dictatorship and corruption”. If this time round we must put a stop to such and demand for justice to really mean justice or in the true sense of fighting against corruption, so be it. At least, the world will bear witness that you stood up to what you believe to be unfair treatment of one of your very own heroes. The same way you are not forcing anyone to love whom you love, let no one force you to hate whom you do not hate. Some people think that they can always manipulate you against your own people while their people always remain loyal to them no matter their misgivings. No more injustice! No more fake anti corruption fight! No more toying with your consciences. Be at liberty and continue to stand for justice.
Not supporting or condoning any form of corruption, but you cannot pronounced a person guilty when he has not yet been tried by a competent court of law. Accused of corruption is not the same as found guilty of corrupt practices. STOP BULLYING YOUR WAY TO VICTORY. The peole of Makeni and Bombali are your people too. They are not foreigners, they are not your enemies. The people of Kenema, Bo, Pujenhun, Moyamba, and Bonthe were not treated as outsiders as enemies of the past government. Every Sierra Leone is entitled to benefits from this government, as they are entitled to any government. The people of Makeni were not supporting corruption today: they are tired of being bullied, they are tired of intimidation, they are tired of being marginalized, they want to feel welcome, they want to be part of the system. The PEOPLE OF THE NORTH ARE NOT YOUR ENEMIES. THEY ARE NOT FOREIGNERS. THEY ARE SIERRA LEONEANS.
Saidu Jabbie Jabs is with Minkail Mohamed Kuyateh.
3toSpomnsnorehgd ·
Minks me yon take to you advise You can be non partisan if the ACC boss respect due process 1. In any investigation you start from the bottom and gather evidence. Even in persecuting the Mafia Boss, you start with the street guy. If your intent is to get to the bottom of an issue. But in this case the ACC commissioner is not bent on getting to the root of corruption but building his resume or trying to be a public nuisance.2. Why he is not allowing people named in the White paper, due process to appeal the finding before he embark on his charade 3. Why can’t he send written question to EBK like was done in the case of Donald Trump during the Mueller investigation to maintain peace and security. They can be answered under oath and have the same weight as face to face interview Nobody condones corruption but common sense and logic should be part of the process Bra the 1st travel ban na d world wae include, die man den, en Primary school, en business How school go travelHow die man go travel How company dae travel The Attorney General no even prove read the list before e append en signature. Do you blame the opposition for that or an incompetent government official.May Allah continue to bless the land that we love theRepublic of Sierra Leone Let peace prevail Love conquers Hate. 24/7/365
CHERNOR BAH
You can’t consolidate a regional hegemony in the guise of fighting corruption. People see it clearly, and they will resist it.
