President Koroma accepts Biriwa Commission report

Today, the report of the Commission of Enquiry, headed by Hon. Justice Abdulai Sheikh Fofana, to look into the conduct of Paramount Chief Alhaji Madeseray Sheriff II of Biriwa Chiefdom, Bombali District, and to determine whether his conduct has been of a kind subversive to the interest of good governance, was presented to President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House.

Presenting the report, in the presence of Vice President Sam Sumana, Justice Fofana said the commission was set up in consonance with the laws of Sierra Leone, in tandem with the 1991 Constitution, and that the notice of his appointment as Chairman and Commissioner together with two Assessors was published in the Sierra Leone Gazette. He revealed that 14 witnesses submitted 49 allegations, all of which were carefully looked into and recommendations made.  He said the report was divided into three parts: the evidence, the findings and the recommendations, noting that “it will be of value to public servants engaged in chiefdom work and to judicial and law libraries.”

He thanked the President for giving him the opportunity to serve his country in this capacity.

Accepting the report, President Koroma thanked Justice Fofanah and team for diligent service to the nation, the government, and the people: “I knew it was a very difficult responsibility; but with people of calibre like you, I knew you would discharge the responsibility with the kind of professionalism and impartiality expected.” According to the President, his government would always adhere to the due process of law, a cardinal principle, “and at the end of the day, the truth will always come out.”

He said he had accepted the report as presented, government will look into it and subsequently release a white paper to the effect. The President ended by saying, “once again I thank you for the great sacrifice. Please be ready to be called upon for any future service in this country.”

The Chairman and his two Assessors,  PC Massa Yeli Tham II and PC Alimamy D Y Koroma, were earlier led in audience by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Local Government, Dauda Kamara, who said that the commission was set up following a petition he received from Biriwa limba chiefdom and in consultation with the Ministry of Justice.

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