New Africa Business News has been following a court in Conakry on Monday sentenced nineteen (19) people to jail terms between ten years for the killing of the head of Guinea’s Public Treasury, who was gunned down in 2012 months after an embezzlement plot.
The accused were presented for a range of crimes including possession of weapons of war, armed robbery and complicity with murder.
The sentencing comes a little over six years after the killing of Aissatou Boiro in Conakry by a group of assailants, of which are wearing military uniform; in a high-profile murder that rocked Western Africa, which is plagued by chronic political violence and endemic corruption.
Seven of the defendants, including the accused assassin Mohamed Sankoh were sentenced to life in prison with a minimum period of thirty (30) years said Ibrahim Kalil Diakite-the Head of the Tribunal in Conakry. Ten (10) were sentenced to twenty (20) years in prison and two (2) other were given ten (10) years jail terms.
The court issued arrest warrants for six (6) fugitives; while one (1) other accused died in prison.
A lawyer for the civic parties-Lancine Sylla, welcomed the decision.
“We think that, with this ditterent sentences, criminality will recede in our country,” he said.
Lawyers for the defence said, they would appeal the decision.
Bairo was shot dead in her car on November 9, 2012 in a residential part of Conakry.
Hailed for her integrity and courage, the treasury director was responsible for foiling a plot to embezzle around $1.7m from the central bank by a network of people including several executives at the bank, the treasury and finance ministry.
The trial opened more than a year ago but has been suspended several times.
For New Africa Business News Abdul Rahman Suagibu Reports, Sophoia- Conakry, Guinea, Africa Correspondent.