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Paramount Chief Acknowledges Guilt in Allegations of Incitement and Breach of Ethics
The Court of Appeal Judge appointed by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the esteemed Honourable Justice Alhaji Mohamed Momoh-Jah Stevens, has initiated an investigation into allegations of incitement and breach of ethics and self-regulation involving the Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, PC Alimamy Bockarie Yellan Koroma.
Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, Tamba J.S. Lamina, suspended the Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom on 7th August, 2023, pursuant to Sections 19-21 of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009. Making his inaugural appearance on 8th November, 2023, before the Commission of Inquiry established by the President, the suspended Paramount Chief was represented by Lawyers E. Sarkoh and T.J. Freeman. Despite being aware of the possibility of soliciting legal representation, Paramount Chief Alimamy B.Y. Koroma expressed no intention to do so.
In representing the state, Lawyer E. Sarkoh articulated that the matter before the Court pertains to an inquiry into allegations of incitement, breach of ethics and self-regulation by Paramount Chief Alimamy Bockarie Alie Yellan Koroma. Sarkoh highlighted the gazetting of the inquiry and the establishment of a Secretariat to support the Commission.
An official presentation of the gazette was conducted under oath, sworn to the Holy Bible by Alishia Lebbie, an employee at the Government Printing Department. Alishia attested to the publication of Gazette No.70 Government Notice No.284 on 2nd November 2023.
In his address, the Sole Commissioner, Honourable Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens, clarified that the Commission of Inquiry was instituted by the President of Sierra Leone to investigate allegations of incitement, breach of ethics and self-regulation, and gross misconduct. He assured that the inquiry would be conducted impartially, without favor.
On his second appearance on 13th November 2023, the State presented their case, and the allegations were put forth to the Paramount Chief, who pleaded guilty to all charges. Paramount Chief Alimamy B.Y. Koroma seized the opportunity to extend his apologies to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, the government, the people, Dansogoia Chiefdom indigenes, and the Sole Commissioner, Honourable Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens, acknowledging his actions as "unfortunate behavior."
The Commission of Inquiry has concluded, and Honourable Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens will present his report to the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, who will then decide whether to accept or reject the recommendations in the report.