June 7, 2019
By Dusuba Koroma
Dr. Samura Kamara
Justice Biobele Georgewill has ordered Dr. Samura Kamara, former Minister of Finance and Economic Development, who also doubles as the 2018 Standard bearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC) to face the on-going Commission of Inquiry and answer to allegations regarding the sales of the country’s 30% shares in Sierra Rutile Mining Company in 2012.
The Judge made the above order when the Financial Secretary from the Ministry of Finance, Sahr Jusu, was asked to help with issues relating to the sale of the country’s 30% shares at Sierra Rutile Company.
According to Sahr Jusu, since they received the information to produce certain document to the Commission, they have asked the Accountant General to provide details in respect of the said shares and that they have also tried to enquire about documentation from the office of the current Minister of Finance, but they couldn’t trace any document relating to the sale.
He said the Accountant General told them that they could not provide any detail of the payment as the document could not be found in their database.
He noted that they did contact the Central Bank of Sierra Leone to provide details of the amount received in respect of the transaction and any other document leading to the sale of the 30% shares.
He said the bank provided them with a document showing correspondence between them and Sierra Rutile Company.
Earlier, the former Sectary to Ex-President Koroma, Emmanuel Beresford Osho Coker, who had served in the said position from 2008 to 2018, declined knowledge of the deal when he was asked by State Counsel.
“I cannot recall dealing in any issue regarding such and being Secretary to the President does not mean that I am aware,” he said.
On the issue as to who was the Minister of Finance during the sale, Sahr Jusu pointed at Dr. Samura Kamara.
It was at that juncture that Justice Biobele ordered that no further cross examination should be done on Jusu until Dr. Samura Kamara is served with a notice of hearing.
“We have to inform him that evidence will be led concerning his former ministry which he has headed,” the Judge reiterated.