High Court Judge Denies Bail To 5 On Trial For Various Corruption Offences in Bo
Hon. Justice Kekura Bangura of the High Court in Bo on Wednesday 22nd February 2017 denied bail to five accused persons standing trial for allegedly committing corruption offences involving soliciting of monies to the tune of Seventy-Four Million Leones (Le. 74,000,000). The Judge considered the offences as serious.
Prince Emmanuel Nallo, a social worker at Defence for Children International; Bockarie Mattia, a teacher at Kakua Government Junior Secondary School; Nyakeh Tommy Ndimawa, student at Njala University; Amos Gbonda, Finance Officer at the Anglican Diocese; and Prince Kallon, an activist at Human Rights Youth Coalition were charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence. The accused persons conspired to solicit monies from Bishop Emmanuel J.S Tucker of the Anglican Diocese in Bo in order to influence ACC investigations of the said Bishop.
Prince Emmanuel Nallo was also charged with Peddling Influence where he solicited the sum of Seventy-Four Million Leones (74,000,000) from Bishop Tucker to purportedly influence ACC investigations in his favour.
All five accused persons took a not-guilty plea on arraignment.
Bishop Emmanuel J.S Tucker is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission for allegedly misappropriating of Donor Funds. He came to know Prince Nallo, through Amos, who presented himself as friend of the ACC and would assist in stopping investigations against him, Bishop Tucker.
ACC Southern Regional Manager Samuel Marah said, the Commission recognizes the significant role played by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the fight against corruption in the South, but will as well frown at any individual undermining its activities or perpetrating a corruption offence.
Chairman, Civil Society Organizations Southern Region, called on CSOs to uphold and maintain transparency and integrity in their daily operations. Jeremy Simbo said the arraignment in court of his colleagues is not in any way an indictment on the CSO infrastructure in the South, but rather reminds them of their core values of integrity and selfless advocacy for the benefit of the ordinary citizenry. He said they look forward to a speedy trial of the matter.
Calvin Mantsebo Esq. represented the State, while Joseph Amadu Esq. the accused persons.
The matter was adjourned to Wednesday 1st March 2017.
ACC
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