Sierra Leone News: Former Tourism Minister to refund $3,000

Business

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ordered the former Minister of Tourism and Culture, Peter Bayuku Konte to refund the sum of USD 3, 000 (Three Thousand United States Dollars) or its equivalent into the consolidated revenue fund. This was part of the outcome of the investigations into allegations of misappropriation of donor funds meant for Ebola victims, and diversion of public property (furniture) donated to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, against the former Minister of Tourism, Mr. Peter Bayuku Konteh. According to a press release from the ACC it states that “upon thorough review of the evidence and verification of site visits to the Koinadugu District, the Commission holds that donated funds were appropriately applied, and beneficiaries identified acknowledged receipt of same. Therefore, the ACC concludes there is no evidence to warrant a charge in respect of misappropriation offences under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.” However, the release emphasized: “it is the view of the ACC that the former Minister could have made sufficient disclosure concerning the funds received from international partners in a transparent and accountable manner.” With regard to the furniture donated by the Bintumani Hotel, the Commission instructs Mr. Peter Bayuku Konteh to refund the sum of Three Thousand United States Dollars ($3,000USD) or its equivalent in Leones at the current bank rate, being the value of the furniture at the time of the taking. Meanwhile, the Commission has requested the former Minister to provide information on the use of the remaining Forty-One Million Four Hundred and Eight-Nine Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Leones (Le. 41,489,650) funds meant as donation for Ebola victims. It may be recalled that Mr. Peter Bayuku Konteh was invited by the Commission on 24th December 2014 for questioning on allegations of corruption and impropriety while serving as Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

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