The Office of Former President Ernest Bai Koroma, on Thursday 19 April 2018, denied the allegation authored and published on social media by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) National Publicity Secretary, Lahai Lawrence Leema, claiming that military officers of the Armed Forces held a secret meeting in Makeni, with the former President after he was no longer President.
Sheriff Mahmud Ismail, Special Assistant to Former President Koroma, described the allegations by Leema against the Former President and in which the military has been linked, as baseless and dangerous for the peace and security of the State.
He pointed out that since the new SLPP dispensation of President Bio was ushered in, the former President has not even moved out of Freetown let alone to be present in Makeni to hold secret meetings with soldiers.
“For the avoidance of all doubts, I hereby state that the former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, has not held any secret meetings with military officers here in Freetown, in Makeni or anywhere else. We therefore condemn, in the strongest of terms, this errant attempt to bring the name of the former President to disrepute,” he stated.
Alfred Paolo Conteh, former Internal Minister who is also linked with the allegations by Leema, described the allegation as false and tarnishing. Conteh recalled the numerous allegations since the election period adding that if Leema has any evidence against him; let the law take its course.
He recalled similar allegations that brought sad memories to innocent Sierra Leoneans implicated on trumped up allegations that were of Treason resulting in unimaginable, extra-judicial consequences for them and their families.
He further added that he has no intention to destabilise the peace and security of the country as he has assiduously worked for the development of Sierra Leone.
Conteh said if the APC feels dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, they will persuade the matter in the court of law. As a private citizen, he has a responsibility to ensure that the peace and development of Sierra Leone is maintained.
Meanwhile, Leema also spoke about the information he got from senior military officials regarding the allegations. He noted that there is an investigation going on to validate the information he published on social media.
SV/19/4/18
By Sylvia Villa
Friday April 20, 2018.
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