Husband and Wife Barred From Running School After Corruption Conviction
A Supreme Court Judge, Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi, has barred Henry Kamara and his wife, Marion Follah Musu Kamara, from managing Holy Family Secondary School at Deep Eye Water or any other educational institution for the next three years. The decision follows their conviction on multiple corruption charges connected to exam malpractice.
The couple faced five counts under section 39(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, including soliciting and accepting advantages.
According to the State’s case, Henry Kamara, who served as a West African Examinations Council (WAEC) agent, solicited two million Leones from Olu Williams as an inducement to allow Williams’ cousin, Simeon, to take the 2019 private WASSCE exam in a dwelling house rather than the official centre at Holy Family School. He was further accused of accepting four hundred and fifty thousand Leones from Williams for a similar favour involving Williams’ friend, Bodkin.
Henry was also jointly charged with Emmanuel Kobby for accepting one million seven hundred thousand Leones from Elizabeth Kamara on the same grounds. Marion Kamara faced a separate charge of soliciting an advantage on behalf of Simeon.
All three defendants entered not-guilty pleas. Over the course of the trial, State Counsel M. Sow presented seven witnesses, including an ACC investigator, a private WASSCE candidate, a bank officer and a WAEC Marshal.
The defence relied solely on sworn testimony from the accused, calling no witnesses.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Alhadi held that the prosecution had met the burden of proof. She noted that the evidence presented was strong and consistent, and that the defendants failed to offer any persuasive defence.
During mitigation, defence lawyer E. T. Enoh argued that Henry and Marion were first-time offenders who had contributed to education since 2008 and were caring for four young children. He urged the court to consider the potential impact of a severe sentence on the community.
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Alhadi stressed the broader consequences of corruption in schools. She pointed out that such acts damage education quality, create inequality and weaken public trust in institutions and the rule of law.
Henry Kamara was fined thirty thousand Leones on each of four counts, totalling one hundred and twenty thousand Leones payable within three years. Marion Kamara was fined thirty thousand Leones, to be paid within one year. Emmanuel Kobby, convicted on one count, was fined sixty thousand Leones, due within two years, and was further barred from working in any educational institution for three years.
