In November 2017, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Isha Johansen and the Secretary General, Christopher Kamara, were arraigned to face 11 charges of corruption, later reduced to three counts, by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Johansen and Kamara are charged with misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy to commit a corruption offence, abuse of office and misappropriation of donor funds all contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act No.12 of 2008. On 14th November 2018, defence counsel opened their case, where Christopher Kamara the second accused, explained to the Court how the SLFA made several bank transfers and withdrawals from their foreign and Leones accounts at Ecobank Bank in 2014. He told the Court that on 9th July 2014, SLFA’s foreign account was credited with $50,000 USD from CAF. He added that same day a bank transfer of $5,000 USD was made from the foreign account to the Leones account. He pointed out that the transfer of USD into Leones was to cover operational costs, including administration, transport allowances for the Under-17 player’s daily training and payment of utility bills. On Friday 18th January 2018, while being cross-examined before Justice Reginald Fynn of the High Court, Kamara said that he is unaware about a $50,000 USD sent by CAF specifically for MRI tests in 2014. He said he is aware of the competition and administrative expenses for 30 players and five officials but had no knowledge about the money for the MRI scan at Ecomed medical facility. “I stated at the ACC during my interview and here today that I am not aware of such money meant for MRI tests.” Chris said during that period he was going through probation from FIFA in order to be familiar with the different sectors in the F.A. According to the ACC prosecutor Masibo, Chris is economical with the truth, which he said is not helping the Court at all. Masibo added that as one of the signatories of those accounts of SLFA, he must have knowledge of monies. Justice Fynn called to speed up with the trial and adjourned the matter to Monday 21st January 2018 for the continuation of the cross examination of the Secretary General of SLFA.
MJB/18/1/19
By Mohamed J. Bah
Monday January 21, 2019.