The Appeals Court is going to have a very hectic schedule as dozens of persons alleged by the Commissions of Inquiry to have engaged in the misuse of public funds, including suspended officials of the President Bio led SLPP government, seek to prove their innocence.
Reports gathered by this press with regards reaction from persons of interest that the Commissions of Inquiry recommended for sanctions by the government allegedly found wanting for corruption, is that many of them are seriously aggrieved and disgruntled that their personalities have been damaged.
Consequently, they have in partnership with their lawyers filed appeals at the Appeals Court to prove their innocence before the 90 days given to them by the government to make all refunds expires at the end of December this year.
On the one hand are persons of interest who stated that they were not called to appear before the Commissions of Inquiry but have their names published as persons of interest that have to refund monies to the state alleged to have been mismanaged or misappropriated by them.
Another set of persons of interest complain bitterly that the Commissions of Inquiry woefully failed to take into consideration documents presented to the Commissions by their lawyers proving their innocence but that the Commissions went on to indict them of alleged corruption.
Another set claimed that they were initially exonerated by the Commissions but have their names published in the White Paper.
For example, the accounting firm BDO has said that they never handled any Ebola funds but are asked by the Commission to make refund of Ebola money.
It can be recalled that publishing the white paper in September, President Bio said that Government has carefully looked at the reports of the Commissions and the recommendations, adding that this Government will fully implement all recommendations.
“I repeat Government will implement all recommendations to the letter,” he vowed.
However, he added that persons and entities affected by the recommendation are guaranteed a peaceful and transparent judicial appeals process through which they can seek relief.