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High Court convicts Former Health Minister. |
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Written by Francis Sowa
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Friday, 12 March 2010 |
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The former Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sheku Tejan Koroma was on Thursday sentenced to five years imprisonment or alternatively to a fine of one hundred and fifty million Leones for the three counts.
Mr. Sheku Tejan Koroma was found guilty of ‘abuse of office and abuse of position’ contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and wilfully failing to comply with laws, procedures and guidelines relating to the procurement of property, tendering of contracts and management of funds. In passing her judgment, High Court Judge, Honorable Mary Sey said that she had no doubt in her mind that the accused was guilty of all three counts. She said ignorance was no defence and the accused knew what he was doing. Justice Sey noted that the evidence of the prosecution was overwhelming and that they proved their case beyond all reasonable doubt. Mr. Sheku Tejan Koroma was indicted in November 2009 by the Anti- Corruption Commission. The Prosecution had alleged that Mr. Tejan-Koroma overturned the decision of the Evaluation Committee and the Procurement Committee in failing to award a contract to supply the Ministry of Health with Laboratory chemicals to the most responsive bidder following a call for bids to be submitted in October 2008. Speaking after the conviction, the ACC’s Commissioner, Abdul Tejan-Cole, welcomed the judgment and noted that it was further evidence that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption. Also, the court has adjourned the matter between the State and Magistrate Adrian Fisher to the twenty fifth of March to listen to the written submissions of both the prosecution and the defense.
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