Following four days of deliberations, a 12 member jury in Freetown
returned verdicts of guilty on Wednesday against 16 of 21 defendants who
were facing charges of treason and conspiracy for allegedly
collaborating with the ousted AFRC military junta. Among those convicted
were former President Joseph Saidu Momoh, who was found guilty on two
counts of conspiracy. Momoh was found not guilty on four counts of
treason, meaning that he will likely face a prison sentence. 13 other
defendants were convicted on treason charges, which carry the death
penalty. Those convicted on at least two charges were Ajbiola Emmanuel
Manley-Spaine, Baila Leigh, Matilda King, David Bangura, Saidu Daniel
Bangura, Hamid Abdul Kamara, John Tommy, Stephen Cathys Bio, Hassan
Barrie, Victor Brandon, Sheik Abu Bakarr Nabie, Umaru Din-Sesay, Denis
Kawuna Kamara, Abdul Salaami Williams, and Eben Victor Coker. Those
acquitted were Rev. Victor Ajisafe, who was once quoted as saying he
would throw away the Bible if President Kabbah returned to Sierra Leone,
former RUF spokesman Gibril Massaquoi, Alhaji Ibrahim Kargbo, Winston
Crowther, and Alpha Omega Bundu Sr.

On a lighter note, President Kabbah has warned civil servants to stop
accepting bribes in return for helping businesses to set up in Sierra
Leone. In a nationwide radio and television broadcast in Krio late
Tuesday, Kabbah said corruption was one of the major problems hindering
the country's development. "If we manage our affairs properly,
government will be able to divert enough resources into the social
welfare sector , providing better health facilities and other reforms,"
he said. Kabbah told officials to end their corruption and to stop
squandering state resources. "Let me also caution you Sierra Leoneans
who have been depriving both foreign and local business people who want
to establish businesses in Sierra Leone," he said. He added his warning
was addressed in particular to "civil servants who have the habit of
receiving a bribe before work is done."

It should be remembered that the government of former president Momoh,
now found guilty of conspiracy, passed an anti-corruption legislation
which carried heavy fines and prison terms in 1988.  It failed woefully.
What makes president Kabba think that mere verbal request/caution would
work this time?  Ghanaian president Rawlings' example with people like
Afrifa and others during his first term should not be a bad idea after
all.

Remember: "Evil triumphs when a few good men do nothing."