Conspiracy… Minister’s action hits Library Board
Following our sequential exposures of the Education Minister’s undue use of office against Board Members of the Sierra Leone Library Board, Sierra Leone’s only book donor agency- Children International, we are told, has sent a letter to officials of Education Ministry withdrawing its support to Sierra Leone. (Photo: Center – Sallieu Turay)
It was revealed that the action of Children International illustrates undue interferences of the Minister of Education on issues adjoining recommendations of Board Members against persons accused of book theft scam.
It could be recalled that Sallieu Turay (acting chief librarian) and others were investigated for theft of books donated to Sierra Leone by Children International USA.
In a letter dated 18th October and addressed to Isaac John as Acting Library Director and Sierra Leone Library Board, it was made point blank that Children International has terminated the supply of text books pursuant memorandum of understanding executed in April of 2009.
Reasons as stated in the letter cast a suspicion of the Education Minister’s unwitting dissolved and sacking of Board Members of the Library Board.
It could be recalled that 4 containers of expensive books were donated to the Sierra Leone Library Board by Children International USA.
It must be noted that books donated to Sierra Leone Library Board were to be distributed freely to school children, students at tertiary institutions and colleges, but never reached them at all.
Speculative analysis say only 5% was distributed to the beneficiaries.
The Acting Chief of Library, Sallieu Turay, who is believed to have conspired with officials of Education Ministry in the sale of 3 of the 4 containers of books in Guinea, was investigated and found wanting by persons legally appointed conduct such an investigation.
Sallieu was however suspended for two months, demoted and made to pay refunds.
The decision of members of Library Board was later seen by the education Minister, Minkailu Mansaray, as malicious and a complete bias.
Recommendations of the investigating team proved unsatisfied to Minister Minkailu, who was left with no option, but arrogantly ordered the rescinding of decision against Sallieu.
Evidences as shown in documented material disclosed how the Education Minister has on number of occasions instructed his Permanent Secretary to write letters to Board Members of Library Board, threatening them to cause Sallieu take up office as Acting Chief Librarian or will face sacking.
“Natural justice demands that, no person or group of persons should be punished for committing a single offence even where the case has been established beyond all reasonable doubts, words as stated in one of the letters written to Sierra Leone Library Board upon the instruction of Minkailu Bah.”
Conversely, the strongly worded letter never looked at the gravity of the offence, whether it falls under corruption or general discipline as understood.
A legal officer who speaks to this press on grounds of anonymity said Sallieu and others should be made to face corruption charges and not minor penalties as indicated in report findings of Board members.
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