By Aminata Phidelia Allie
The case of alleged state fraud involving thirteen accused persons, working for the National Revenue Authority, Ecobank and the Sierra Leone Shipping Company, has been transferred to the High Court of Sierra Leone for trial. The accused were refused bail.
The transfer followed the indictment last week of 17 people by the Anti Corruption Commission for various offences.
The accused were making their fourth appearance in the Magistrate Court No. 2 presided over by Komba Kamanda when state prosecutor, Gerald Soyei applied for them to be discharged “since the High Court now has jurisdiction over the matter”.
He said it was proper that all the accused be discharged in the lower court.
Before their discharge, however, two of the thirteen were acquitted by the court because they were not on the list of those indicted by the ACC.
The two, Felix Jusu and Milton Alpha, were declared free men by the court and asked to leave the dock which they did and joined their jubilant family members and well-wishers outside the court.
Meanwhile, the accused persons made an earlier appearance in the High Court before Justice M. A. Paul and were remanded until Friday, the next adjourned date.
© Politico 11/07/13
