January 18, 2016
The High Court of Sierra Leone, presided over by Hon. Justice D.B. Edwards, Justice of the Appeal Court, on Thursday 14th January found Fomba Koroma, civil society activist, guilty on one count, for obtaining an advantage in consideration of protecting a person from legal proceedings contrary to section 41(1) (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.
In a similar vein, Emmanuel Showers and Thaillu Kallon, both employees of the Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) in Bo, were convicted on two counts for fraudulently damaging public property causing it to function in a way that resulted in loss of public revenue contrary to section 48(1)(c), and soliciting an advantage contrary to section 28(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008.
Fomba Koroma, who was represented by Francis K. Sowa Esq. and Emmanuel Showers, and Thaillu Kallon represented by Samuel O. Taylor Esq., were fined the sum of thirty million leones (Le30,000,000.) each, to be paid within six months starting 14th January. Failure to pay the fine would mean that they shall serve a three-year prison term.
It should be noted that this is the first time the ACC has secured a conviction on offences relating to loss of public revenue and obtaining an advantage to protect a person from legal proceedings.
The commission was represented by Emmanuel K. Amara Esq. and Nigel B.E Davies Esq.
The ACC wishes to assure the general public that it will at all times continue to strengthen the fight against corruption nationwide.
KOLONEH SANKOH
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, ACC