David Francis Implicates Aiah Gbakima In USL $4.5 M Dubious Deal

In a bid to set himself free of any wrong doing in the agreement between the University of Sierra Leone (USL) and the Nigerian Company, Femab Properties, Prof. David Francis has pointed fingers at the then Minister of Tertiary and High Education, Prof. Aiah Gbakima whose Ministry championed the project as stated by Prof. Francis.
In his response to Africa Confidential before the publication by Africa Confidential, Prof. Francis stated that the lead on the project was the Tertiary and Higher Education Department which presented the plans for approval to government.
The agreement which was meant for the construction of Business School at Bureh Town for the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) was signed at State House on 2nd August 2018 in the presence of Prof. David Francis and others.
Africa Confidential maintained that three weeks after the agreement was signed in State House, the then Financial Secretary, Sahr Jusu wrote to Prof. Francis, the Secretary to the President and others raising serious doubts about the agreement.
Despite the red flag raised by the most senior official in the Ministry of Finance, Prof. Francis and others still went ahead with the deal.
“In the specific case of the Ministry of Technical & Higher Education (MoTHE), I supported and championed two projects including the IPAM-FEMAB Students’ Hostels project and the creation of THREE new Universities,” Prof. Francis stated in his response to Africa Confidential dated 5th August 2024.
He furthered that his support role was always provided under the leadership and direction of the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, as the substantive Minister appointed by the President to provide political leadership of the Ministry.