By Emma Black
Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi (JSC) on 21st November 2025, has barred Mr. Henry Kamara and Mrs. Marion Follah Musu Kamara from operating the holy family Secondary School at Deep Eye Water, Freetown, or any other educational institution for three years, following their conviction for corruption-related offences.
The couple faced five counts of corruption-related offences, including soliciting and accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 39(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008. The offences occurred between 1st January 2019 and 28th September 2019.
According to the prosecution, Henry Kamara solicited Le2,000,000 from Olu Williams to allow his cousin, Simeon, to take the 2019 WASSCE at a private residence instead of the designated examination centre at Holy Family School, he was also accused of accepting Le450,000 from Williams to facilitate a similar arrangement for Williams’ friend, Bodkin.
Additionally, Emmanuel Kobby was jointly charged with Henry for conspiring to accept Le1,700,000 from Elizabeth Kamara for similar exam-related favours, while Marion Kamara faced charges alone for soliciting an advantage in favour of Simeon.
Upon arraignment, Henry Kamara pleaded not guilty to counts 1, 2, 3, and 5; Marion Kamara pleaded not guilty to count 4; and Kobby pleaded not guilty to count 5.
During the trial, the prosecution, led by M. Sow, called seven witnesses, including an ACC investigation officer, a private WASSCE candidate, a bank official, and a WAEC marshal. The defendants provided sworn testimony in their defence but did not call any witnesses.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Alhadi stated that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and the defendants failed to provide any convincing defence. She emphasised the broader impact of corruption in schools, noting that it erodes public trust, fosters inequality, and undermines the quality of education.
In mitigation, defence lawyer E. T. Enoh highlighted that the Kamaras were first-time offenders, primary caregivers of four children aged 5 to 13, and had been providing educational services since 2008. He appealed for leniency, noting the potential community impact of a harsh sentence.
Justice Alhadi sentenced the convicts as follows, Henry Kamara (convicted on four counts) was fined Le30,000 per count, totaling Le120,000, payable within three years, and banned from running any educational institution for three years.Marion Kamara (convicted on one count) was fined Le30,000, payable within one year, and similarly barred from managing any school for three years.
Emmanuel Kobby (convicted on one count) was fined Le60,000, payable within two years, and prohibited from working in any educational institution for three years, Justice Alhadi underscored that corruption by school authorities is dishonest and illegal behaviour that undermines education, delays national development, and erodes public confidence in institutions.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 26th November 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
