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NAG Responds to the Arrest
of Minister Okere Adams
The arrest Monday of Marine Resources
Minister Okere Adams on corruption charges by the Anti-Corruption
Commission (ACC) provides a timely and poignant reminder
about the extent of corruption in Sierra Leone, and
likewise a glimmer of hope that perpetrators may no
longer be able to hide behind a perpetual wall of impunity.
For too long the leaders of this country have abused
their position to the people’s detriment, looting
the scarce public resources with no chance of recourse.
We at the National Accountability Group
applaud the actions taken by the ACC to at last crack
down on these offences, though caution that only a sustained
effort by the ACC, civil society, the media, and the
public at large will be necessary to pursue this case
to the utmost without political interference. The people
of Sierra Leone have been let down too many times by
the justice system, and this time we must allow the
rule of law to take its course without interference.
While we appreciate the importance of this occasion,
we must soberly acknowledge that this is merely the
first of many steps toward the successful execution
of justice. Minister Adams will have his day in court
and we must allow the facts to surface in an objective
and clear manner so as to facilitate a just verdict.
We at NAG hope that the outcome of
this case will set a firm example to perpetrators of
corruption and force those in the government who engage
in corruption, from the highest level down to lowest
functionaries, to acknowledge that corruption will no
longer be tolerated and to consider the potential negative
consequences of their continued abuse of power; and
in so doing, to challenge the notion that they are immune
from investigation, prosecution, and conviction.
National Accountability Group
9th February, 2005
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