Both accused persons are facing six count charges, ranging from Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, Engaging in a Project without Prior Planning, Misappropriation of Public Fund and Willfully Failing to Comply with the Law Relating to Tendering of Contract, which contravene Section (48) Sub-Section (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.12 of 2008.
The State alleged that the accused persons, being persons whose functions concern the administration, management and use of public funds, allegedly committed the offences between 1st August 2016 and 31st December 2017.
The Charge Sheet indicated that both accused persons approved the withdrawal of one Million United States Dollars equivalent to Six Billion, Five Hundred and Ten Million, Two Hundred Ninety Thousand Leones from the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Bank Account to Sisimi Nassit Medical Project Bank Account.
The Anti-Corruption Commission further claimed that the accused persons allocated the said quantum of money to SISIMI National Social and Insurance Trust Medical Project, a joint venture special project vehicle created ostensibly for the provision of an urgent care delivery service system, and to provide services in Sierra Leone, thereby depriving the trust of said amount.
The accused persons, Joseph Saidu Mans and Yeabu M. D. Karama were initially put on bail in the sum of One Billion Leones each, and their traveling documents seized from them, when they were invited by the Commission.
But when the matter came up in the High Court of Sierra Leone, before the adjudicating Judge, Hon. Justice Miatta Samba, she slammed fresh bail conditions against the accused person in the sum of five hundred million Leones each in like sum.
The sureties must be property owners, and their title deeds evaluated and approved by the Master and Registrar.
The first accused person, Joseph Saidu Mans was represented by Lawyer M. Taylor, the second accused person, Yeabu M. D. Kamara was defended by Lawyer Y. A. Yillah, while the Anti-Commission Commission was represented by Zimbabwean- born Calvin Mantsebo.
The matter comes up again on Wednesday 30th January this year.
