BY: MOHAMED SAHR
In a significant development in the corruption case involving the Assistant Finance Officer of Eastern Technical University, Sheku Abdulai Kamara, justice has been served at the High Court of Sierra Leone’s resident court in Kenema.
Honourable Justice Francis Banks Kamara presided over the case, which concluded with Sheku Abdulai Kamara being sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment or a fine of one hundred and fifty thousand New Leones (Nle 150,000). The verdict was delivered in an official press release issued on Monday, June 10th, 2024.
The convict faced three counts of charges, primarily centered around the misappropriation of public revenue, a violation of Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 12 of 2008, as amended. The court found that Sheku Abdulai Kamara, between January 2021 and December 2023, had misappropriated public funds totaling seventy-five million, one hundred and sixty-seven thousand Old Leones (Me 75,167,000). These funds were tuition fees received from twenty-one students for Eastern Technical University.
The Anti-Corruption Commission had filed an indictment against Sheku Abdulai Kamara on twenty-six counts of misappropriation of public revenue earlier in the year.
Upon arraignment, the convict pleaded guilty to the first three counts. Honourable Justice Francis Banks Kamara characterized the actions of Sheku Abdulai Kamara as “Educational treason,” noting the potential detrimental impact on the academic journey of the students affected.
Considering the gravity of the conviction, Honourable Justice Francis Banks Kamara ordered Sheku Abdulai Kamara to pay restitution in the sum of seventy-five thousand New Leones, equivalent to the total amount of money misappropriated.
In the legal proceedings, Lawyer A.B.C Samuels represented the Anti-Corruption Commission, while Lawyer S.S Ansumana served as the defense counsel.
This verdict stands as a testament to the commitment of the Sierra Leonean judicial system to combat corruption and uphold justice, ensuring accountability and transparency in public institutions.
