The High Court in Bo presided by the Honourable Justice Anthony Ganda has on Thursday, January 13, 2022, sentenced Edward Mustapha Luseni, a former staff of the Anglican Diocese of Bo to three year in prison or pay a fine of Le30 million following his conviction on six (6) out of eight (8) counts of corruption offences.
Luseni was standing trial together with Bishop Emmanuel Tucker, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bo, on eight (8) counts of Misappropriation of Donor Funds contrary to Section 37(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008. However, Bishop Emmanuel Tucker was acquitted and discharged on all eight counts, while *EDWARD MUSTAPHA LUSENI* was convicted on counts 3 to 8 and acquitted and discharged on counts 1 and 2.
Justice Anthony Ganda further ordered that, within three months from the date of conviction, Edward Mustapha Luseni should pay to the Anti-Corruption Commission the sum of a further Le 30 million as restitution.
It could be recalled that, in April 2018, the Anti-Corruption Commission filed an indictment relating to the misappropriation of donations made by the Trinity Wall Street in the United States of America to the Anglican Diocese of Bo meant for the provision of relief supply for the Ebola epidemic and for the provision of agricultural and educational support for the south and eastern provinces of Sierra Leone.
The Commission reassured the public of its firm resolve to curbing corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone.
By Sallieu S. Kanu