Former Sierra Leone minister convicted of corruption

[News_Editor]

Former Sierra Leone minister convicted of corruption

2010-10-13 12:17:13 GMT+7 (ICT)

FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE (BNO NEWS) -- Former Sierra Leone Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Haja Afsatu Kabba on Tuesday was found guilty and convicted on five counts of corruption charges.

In addition, the sacked-Minister Kabba was fined with 450 million Leones (about $100 million) and could be imprisoned for a term of up to 15 years if the fine is not paid within four weeks. Kabba has a very close relationship with President Ernest Koroma who did not interfere with the trial as part of his Actions, Progressive and unwavering Commitment policy.

In 2007, soon after taking office, Koroma claimed there would be no 'sacred cows' in his government, including his friends, family members and associates. In his three years of mandate, Koroma has not offered special treatment to anyone and has terminated more members of the cabinet than any other regime in Sierra Leone's history.

Kabba, who was one of the only two female cabinet members in the Koroma administration, was investigated by the independent Anti-Corruption Commission. Kabba, who is of Madingo ethnicity, was appointed as Minister of Energy and Power by President Koroma as he took office.

However, Kabba was in the midst of allegations that indicated that she compromised the government’s standards for the award of contracts for the electrification of Freetown. Despite this, Koroma reassigned her to the Fisheries and Marine Resources Ministry.

Once again, Kabba was involved in troubles, this time in claims related to corruption, nepotism and harassment of ministry employees. Finally, an investigation was started which resulted in her indictment.

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