Press Release
Attorney General Files Additional Charges Against Kaba Simeon Khalu and Others, Drops Four.
The office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice wishes to inform the general public that (on) Friday 30th August 2013, fresh charges were filed in the two ongoing matters against Kaba Simeon Khalu and others, for offences including but not limited to conspiracy to obtain credit under false pretences for the sum of 5.6 billion Leones.
It would be recalled that the Sierra Leone Police had charged the matters to court in the absence of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from the country. Consequent upon my return, an exhaustive review of the the evidence used by the Police was conducted and based on my advice:
-The total number of counts filed have been increased from nine (9) to twenty one (21);
Charges of conspiracy were increased from three (3) to ten (10);
Charges of issuing a cheque against insufficient funds contrary to the Payment Systems Act OF 2009, were increased from three (3) to nine (9);
Charges of obtaining credit contrary to the Debtors Act of 1869 were increased from one (1) to two (2);
Initial charges were against twelve (12) of which charges against four (4) in persons of Crispin Bishop Deigh, Patrick Saidu Conteh, Chief Tony Izibundu Chinyere and Samuel Kainde Huggins were discharged;
An additional charge was levied against Premier Investment Sierra Leone Limited, a company in which Kaba Simeon Khalu is the Chief Executive Officer;
Evidence compiled by the Sierra Leone Police, in the matter of Crispin Bishop Deigh, Patrick Saidu Conteh, Chief Tony Izibundu Chinyere and Samuel Kainde Huggins, have been handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Bank of Sierra Leone given the two institutions’ respective capacities to handle forensic investigations of emerging financial crimes;
As forensic investigations continue by the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Bank of Sierra Leone, the passports of Crispin Bishop Deigh, Patrick Saidu Conteh, Chief Tony Izibundu Chinyere and Samuel Kainde Huggins, continue to be held by the Sierra Leone Police whilst the Police ban on their travel, continues to be in force.
It would be further recalled that the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone has taken initial steps consistent with the Banking Act of 2011 and is empowered to take any further appropriate action as may be deemed fit under the empowering legislations without recourse to the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice and/or any outcome of any criminal process. This includes remedial administrative action to protect the integrity of the Sierra Leone banking sector.
Franklyn Bai Kargbo
Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Friday August 30th, 2013.
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