By Aminata Phidelia Allie
The general overseer of the Lord’s Mission Church and president of ‘His Helping Hand International Ministry,’ (4HIM) Sierra Leone, has been sent to prison for six years after he failed to pay Le 250 million as alternative sentence.
Rev Hassan Mansaray and his accountant were indicted by the anti-graft agency in May this year for misappropriating donor funds and property.
They were convicted by Justice John Bosco Katutsi of the Freetown High Court to a fine of Le 250 million or six years in default of the fine, and Le 50 million or three years in default of the fine respectively.
Both were however unable to pay their fines within the one month period given to them by the court. Meanwhile, an application for extension of the deadline was made by their defense lawyers.
Applying on behalf of the reverend, defense lawyer Roland Wright pointed out that organisations like the orphanage were seriously underfunded “and the lives and well-being of those orphans are now at stake”.
Lawyer Wright said that it was important for the court to note that his client had every intention to pay the fine. “All he needs is more time to raise some funds”, he pleaded.
Having clearly indicated his willingness to oblige by paying an initial Le 50 million, he said the reverend was also faced with the realities of the current hardship.
State prosecutor, Michael Imran Kanu objected to the application, urging the court to enforce the judgment of Justice Katutsi which was delivered in August.
The reverend was sent to serve his jail term in default of the fine whiles his accountant, Abdul Aziz Bangura was given another grace period of one month to pay his balance of Le 20m. Failure to pay within the one month he would automatically face a 3-year jail term.
Meanwhile in Court No.2, Magistrate Komba Kamanda remanded a certain Abdul Karim Kamara who allegedly defrauded a woman of the sum of Le 95 million.
He faces a 3-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence from complainant, Asiatu Bangura for the purchase of a 150kg coal tan, feigned said to be a mineral.
The accused was remanded and the matter adjourned to Monday 28 October for prosecution to move its case.
(C) Politico 22/10/13
