The Mayor Of Sierra Leone’s Capital,Freetown, Faces Jail Or Fine In Court Case.

By: Silas Gbandia 

The mayor of Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, was sentenced to three years in jail or a 170 million-leone ($39,000) fine after he was found guilty of breaching procurement laws, High Court Justice John Bosco Katutsi said today.

Mayor Herbert Williams

Herbert George-Williams is being penalized for signing a contract with a Jamaican musical group for a concert in December 2010, which the court ruled on Aug. 10 violated policies in the West African nation.

Bernard Jones, a lawyer who appeared in court today for George-Williams declined to comment on whether his client would appeal the sentence when reached on his mobile phone.

Another lawyer, Yada Williams, said after the verdict last week the mayor, who had been suspended from office and was remanded into prison custody, was considering an appeal.