Both indictees are facing two count charges on Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence and Misappropriation of Public Fund, which contravene certain core sections of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2008.
The state claimed that Alie Badara Mansaray of 7K Lumley Road in the western part of Freetown and Richard Turay being staff of the National Commission for Social Action conspired with other persons unknown to misappropriate the sum of ninety fine thousand, seven hundred and ninety seven united dollars.
They were also alleged to have misappropriated another huge quantum of money to the tune of eighty four million, seven hundred and seventy four thousand, nine hundred and fifty five Leones.
According to the indictment, the said quantum of money allegedly misappropriated by both indictees was a provident fund established by staff of commission, in which monies are deducted from workers salary at the end of every month.
Unfortunately, when the matter came up on Monday 14 May this year before Hon. Justice Miatta Samba, the second indictee, Richard Turay was conspicuously absent in the court, but his Lawyer D. S. S. Ansumana informed the court that his Client was never served the indictment for him to attend court sittings.
He further intimated the court that he knew about the indictment against his Client, Richard Turay’s through his relatives who saw the indictment posted on social media, informing his Client to attend court proceedings, on Monday 13th May 2019 and to answer to two count charges on Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence and Misappropriation of Public Fund, contrary to law.
In the light of submission made by Counsel representing the second indictee, the lead counsel for the Anti-Corruption Commission, Victor Biadoma countered that the commission’s process server went to the premises of the Richard Turay to effect service, but he could not see, and that even his relatives could not give an account of his whereabouts.
Since the second indictee is outside, Lawyer Victor Biadoma made an application pursuant to Section (148) sub Section (3) of No.32 of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 for separation of trial which was granted by the court.
At this juncture, Counsel for the first indictee, Amadu Koroma canvassed the presiding judge to admit his Client to bail on the grounds that his Client is not a flight risk and that besides he was granted by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
According to Amadu Koroma since the commencement of the matter his Client has always conducted himself in a fit and proper manner and has never failed the commission whenever he is allowed to go,
He added that the Alie Badara Mansaray traveled recently outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone, but returned home to stand trial in respect of the charges preferred against him and his former Director of Finance, Richard Turay.
Against this backdrop, Hon. Justice Miatta Samba reviewed the bail condition earlier granted to his Client by the Anti-Corruption by stating that the first indictee, Alie Badara Mansaray should now produce two sureties who should be residential citizens in the Freetown Judicial District.
Hon. Justice Miatta Samba also ordered that the first indictee, Alie Badara Mansaray should surrender their national identity card, and that he should not travel outside the jurisdiction of Sierra Leone and bail to be approved by the Deputy Assistant Master and Registrar. The matter comes up again on Monday 20th May 2019.
