At The Commissions of Inquiry SLPP Caught In Too Many Lies in Sierra Leone
Persons of interest in the ongoing Commissions of Inquiry (COI) have even before the commencement of proceedings raised concerns over the rules governing the commission.
Since the Government Transition Team Report (GTT) cannot stand the test of time, evidences being tendered before the Commission 1 in relations to issues of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation(Ebola Funds) and Politically Exposed Persons at the Sierra Leone Commercial are likely insufficient for State Counsel, Robin Mason Esq., which exposes the many lies told by the SLPP regarding both the Ebola funds and the loans.
It is apparent that State Counsel, Robin Mason is yet to fully convince the commission about selected individuals who have been ticked by the COI secretariat.
Commissioner Justice Biobele Georgewill has asked State Counsel to bring the cases of Ebola and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank to finality given he cannot spend all his six months in Sierra Leone on only these matters. He reminded the commission that there are other ministries to look at.
It was apparent State Counsel Mason Esq., is not confident of evidenced adduced so far.
Defense Counsel Ady Macauley and Aminata Sillah have argued that this is the reason why they have been asking for the rules.
He could not confirm whether the rule of court procedure of the High Court of 2007 presently being used by Commissioner Georgewill, but affirmed that, he will have to cross-examine all witnesses whom State Counsel has examined before now.
Justice Biobele Georgewill had used his discretion to close the issue of Ebola funds and SLCB in the interim for lack of sufficient evidence.
In another development, the investigation into the Youth Farm Project has once again exposed the many lies of the SLPP’s allegations about the project. For instance, the SLPP alleged that $ 950,000 was allegedly used to buy farm machinery and tools for the youth farm project of the Ministry of Youth Affairs but that no such machinery or tools were ever bought.
The COI investigation has however established that indeed there was an award of a contract to West Stars Limited for the purchase of farm machinery and tools for the youth farm project but that the said contract was not performed because government did not disburse monies to cover the purchase.
CIO also established through UBA bank statement that for the period 11th May 2015 to 12th March 2019 a total amount of le 2.224 billion was credited into the youth farm project account and a total of 2.249 billion was debited from the same account. So it was not possible to have paid $950,000 Leones equivalent of 8.250 billion for farm machinery and tools. And the bank statement showed $950,000 was never paid from the project account as alleged by SLPP.
It was also established that SLPP Government has not disbursed a penny for the running of the youth farm project from January to March 2019.
It was established that for the 1 year SLPP has been in government they have only disbursed 400 million Leones to the Youth Farm Project which mostly went towards payment of stipend including that of Frank Amadu Bio, Nephew of President Bio, who was employed immediately after the 2018 elections.
It was further established that Frank Amadu Bio is paid seventeen million Leones (le 17,000,000) as stipend.
It was also established that twenty two (22) bedroom room houses were built by former Minister Alimamy Kamara, out of his own resources and charity, at the youth farm to provide accommodation for youths working on the farm.
It is now very clear from the revelations coming from the COIs investigation that indeed the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) government cooked up many lies about the previous APC Government.
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2019, https:. All rights reserved.
