NCA trial: People from Savannah region express shock over 5-years sentence of Chief

Many people from the Savannah Region have expressed their shock, indignation and solidarity over the sentencing to five years of Chief Alhaji Osman Salifu Mimina who is a respected sub-Chief of the Kpembe division of the Gonja Traditional Area in the Savannah Region by an Accra High Court presided by Justice Kyei Baffour on 12th May, 2020.

Chief Alhaji Osman, a former Deputy National Security Coordinator in the government of former President John Dramani Mahama was sentenced to five years imprisonment on the charges of conspiracy to willfully causing financial loss to the state in contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.

Also sentenced were a former board chair of the NCA, Eugene Baffoe-Bonnie (six years imprisonment), William Tetteh Tevie, a former Director-General of the NCA (to five years imprisonment).

The five years sentence of Chief Alhaji Osman Salifu Mimina has made many of his kinsmen to take to social media especially Facebook to express their disappointment and disapproval of the judgement with many describing the decision of the Hight Court as a political witch-hunt.

Alhaji Inua who is very close to Chief Alhaji Osman wrote; “Having sat in the courtroom and listened to every single word of the Judge and my consolation is that our Chief was not found guilty on any self-serving count nor convicted for any act of self-gain or benefit.

The Judge found him not guilty for conspiracy to steal and not guilty for using his office for personal gain. The Court said he neither stole nor benefited from his office. He was convicted purely for office procedural matters – causing financial loss, procurement procedures and public asset protection and that for me is a mark of intact personal integrity even after a criminal conviction”.

“A shocked Youth Activist in the Savannah Region and close Associate of Alhaji Osman called Ibrahim Napadow wrote;” Chief will not die and even if he dies there he died as a warrior. The end of enmity is death. His good deeds will bring him out. We don’t deserve this but here we are with it. God will wipe our tears. His rescue is in the hands of God. I know Chief will come out very soon Insha Allah”.

A family member of Chief Alhaji Osman wrote; “Today really happens to he a dark Tuesday to us the immediate family. The double agony is that, just this evening, chief Dinpiwura’s granddaughter fell from a mongoe tree in Kpembe and died. The body will be buried tomorrow morning. So sad”.

Mr Salisu Be-Awuribe who is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Secretary for the Savannah Region wrote on Facebook; “He (referring to the judge) was promised of promotion as part of the bargain. He received it. So he only played his part. #Unfortunate Verdick”.

Malik Basintale also the NDC Communication Officer for the Savannah Region wrote; “Chief Alhaji Osman Mimina Dinpou-wura. Our mighty chief from the Salaga traditional area, Savannah Region. Akufo-Addo can only temper the body but not the spirit. We’re with you forever”.

A prolific writer from the Savannah Region Issifu Seidu Kudus Gbeadese said;” This democracy thing eerh..so with all the broad day stealing ongoing in this govt which are seen by even the blind, this is the best they can do..wow!”

A comment said; “We are with him (Chief Alhaji Osman) during this difficult time. I have met him personally and my few interactions with him, made me to believe that people can be in high places and still be humble”.

The General Manager of Bole based Nkilgi FM Mahama Haruna wrote this on Facebook; “Sad Day for Mahama Haruna and I believe Gonjaland. My mentor Alhaji Osman Salifu Mimina who is a respected Sub-Chief from the Kpembe Traditional Area of Gonja jailed 5 years. It shall be well”.

Mahama Haruna further came with a second post saying; “Sometimes people ask me why I’m so much fond of Chief Alhaji Osman. It is not about job, or money he has given me but his concern for his people and the attention he gives everyone. He is good, blunt and very receptive. He will scold you when need be and will praise when need be. He doesn’t discriminate from which part of Gonja one comes from when it comes to helping them. He is a good advisor, a father and problem solver”.

A religious person wrote;”Let’s continue to put our trust in the Almighty Allah and the Almighty Allah will surely deliver Alhaji Osman, his family and indeed the entire Gonjaland from calamities. In Shaa Allah”.