By Mohamed Foday Conteh
Basma and Macauley, a law firm in Freetown has on the 7th July 2021 appealed the findings of the Commissions of Inquiry (COI) at the Appeal’s Court in Freetown.
The sole Commissioner Justice Biobele Georgewill’s Commissions of Inquiry had put in its findings that the said firm was a party in a money-laundering scheme involving the Ministry of Justice in the then administration of former President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Counsel for the appellant, Yada Williams, relied on an affidavit dated 13th May 2021. He pegged his argument that findings of the COI were “adverse” based on the fact that the said law firm had not been notified of the trial. He added that had his clients been given the opportunity for a legal representation at the COI inquiry, they would have given adequate reasons to vindicate themselves.
In making his case for addendum of evidence to the application, Williams, referenced several exhibits like exhibit B-1 which is a notice of appeal on the same matter filed on the 9th November 2020, as well as Justice Georgewill’s report, the COI white paper, a letter from Frank Kargbo, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, a letter from the appellants to the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice dated 8th April 2015 and another letter by Anthony Brewah, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, among others. He made his appeal in tandem with Section 27 of the Court of Appeal Rules.
Counsel of the appellants added that the trial at the COI with regards his client was unfair and against natural justice. He said that the findings of money laundering were unfounded and added that the said findings are an insult to Sierra Leone as a whole. He continued that there was a letter of offer for his clients and that their employment by the then Ministry of Justice was legal. He stated that even the enumeration of such a contract can be determined by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
Counsel for the State, Abigail Suwu- Kaindoh, said that she has reservations with regard to the application. She said that the evidence being pinned to the application recently was part of the evidence at the COI.
Responding to the notice of the COI hearing which the appellants complained of having no knowledge about, she said that the Inquiry was in the interest of the public and that the media covered the hearing extensively. She concluded that the appellants were not indicted and that they only came to the fore during investigations of the office of the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
Justice Michael Mamie adjourned the matter to next Wednesday, the 14th July 2021 for judgment.
The bench was also represented by Justice Samuel Omodele Taylor and Justice Augustine Musa.
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