Freetown – Sierra Leone’s main opposition party on Monday named former foreign minister Samura Kamara as its presidential candidate despite an investigation that he allegedly stole $2.5 million from public coffers.
The All People’s Congress (APC) chose Kamara, who lost to President Julius Maada Bio in the last election, as flagbearer for the June presidential race.
Kamara’s selection came despite a High Court announcement that a judgement will be delivered on Thursday in a corruption case against him and five others.
In December 2021, Kamara was charged with misappropriating more than $2.5 million in public funds in a case tied to planned refurbishments to a New York consulate while he was serving as foreign affairs minister.
On 12/02/23 I formally declared my aspirations to be the flag bearer and presidential candidate of the APC for the 24 June 2023 elections. I thank my wonderful comrades of the APC and the majority of the country for their support & unwavering trust in me. God bless you all. pic.twitter.com/fQK6jUmhyz
— samurakamara2023 (@samurakamara201) February 13, 2023
A ruling on a no-case submission by the defence is scheduled in the High Court on Thursday. If Kamara is convicted he will be barred from running for or holding public office.
Following his defeat to Bio in 2018, Kamara appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the result despite initially declaring his opponent victor.
On Monday, he defeated 17 other candidates, winning 1,382 of the 1,627 votes cast at the party conference.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/@samurakamara201
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