MOD/RSLAF KEY MESSAGE ON THE RESIGNATIONS OF THREE SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS

1. MoD/RSLAF has followed some insinuations regarding the recent resignations of three senior military officers. Hence, MoD/RSLAF would like to correct the inaccurate and misleading versions that were making rounds in the social media about these resignations.

2. Indeed, over the past three months, MoD/RSLAF has received resignation letters from three senior military officers, namely Brigadier Albert Yamba Kargbo, Lieutenant Colonel MEA Kargbo and Squadron Leader Alfred Kamara.

3. Brigadier Albert Yamba Kargbo tendered his resignation letter on 25 July 2019, stating that he has served the institution for 31 years with dedication and commitment and he did not think there was much he could offer again.

4. As the then Commander of 3 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier Kargbo had been investigated for an alleged discrepancy of ammunition. He was suspended from military duties last year in line with the RSLAF Investigations Policy.

5. Upon the conclusion of the investigations, Brigadier Kargbo’s suspension was lifted after he was exonerated. While waiting to be posted, he requested for a medical leave to Ghana, which he was granted. By the time his medical leave elapsed, Brigadier Kargbo applied to voluntarily resign from RSLAF.

6. In accordance with the procedure for voluntary resignation, Brigadier Kargbo was invited to attend the interview of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) but he did not turn up. Instead, he asked the CDS to contact his lawyer, Ady Macauley.

7. Notwithstanding, Lawyer Macauley was contacted and sensitized about the procedure for voluntary resignation. The Lawyer was also asked to advise his client to follow the procedure for voluntary resignation.

8. Since then, Brigadier Kargbo has neither complied with the voluntary resignation procedure nor returned from abroad upon the expiration of his medical leave. As a senior military officer still subject to military law and discipline until he is honorably discharged, Brigadier Kargbo ought to have returned upon the expiration of his medical leave. Hence, his continued stay-away in Ghana has now been considered as “absent without leave”.

9. In line with the RSLAF policy for “absent without leave”, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been set up to investigate his conduct and proffer recommendations after the 21-day period of grace.

10. However, in contrast with Brigadier Kargbo, Lieutenant Colonel MEA Kargbo has so far complied with the stipulated procedure for voluntary resignation. His resignation letter of 24 June 2019 written on grounds of poor health will now be forwarded to the Defence Council for approval.

11. Furthermore, Squadron Leader Alfred Kamara has similarly complied with the procedure. His resignation letter dated 8 August 2019 will also be forwarded to the Defence Council for approval.

12. Squadron Leader Kamara said in his letter that he was resigning because he had “no future in the Air Wing”, stating that he had been denied the appointment as Commander of Air Wing on two occasions. He also stated that he was recently denied the appointment as Commandant at Lungi Airport.

13. On the contrary, MoD/RSLAF would like the public to know that the instances cited by Squadron Leader Kamara are absolutely inconsistent with the facts. Hence, as a matter of facts, in 2013 Squadron Leader Kamara was CONVENIENTLY working as Military Assistant/Aide de Camp to the former Minister of Defence, Major (Retired) Alfred Paolo Conteh when Flight Lieutenant JM Lebbie was appointed as Acting Commander of Air Wing. Furthermore, in 2018 Squander Leader Kamara was HAPPILY employed at Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority on secondment when Flight Lieutenant Cole was also appointed to the same post.

14. On the issue of the appointment at Lungi Airport, MoD/RSLAF considered the fact that Squadron Leader Kamara had enjoyed many opportunities in the past over other officers in the Air Wing. Hence, the Appointment Board deemed it fit to select Flight Lieutenant JM Lebbie, who had never got the opportunity to work in another establishment on secondment. Therefore, MoD/RSLAF strongly believes that Squadron Leader Kamara’s reasons for his resignation are insufficient.

15. Nevertheless, MoD/RSLAF would also like the public to know that voluntary resignation is stipulated in Section 26 of the RSLAF Act of 1961 (As Amended). The statutory provision gives the free will to any serving personnel to apply for premature retirement subject to the approval of Defence Council. Hence, any serving personnel voluntarily resigning must follow the due process for such resignation.

16. MoD/RSLAF would further like the public to know that no member of RSLAF has ever been denied his/her right to voluntarily resign as long as he/she has followed the due process. For instance, between 2007 and 2018 the Defence Council magnanimously approved the voluntary resignations of a number of military officers including Colonel Fanday Turay, Lieutenant Colonel Lukay, Squadron Leader SC Kailey, Major FS Sorie, Major SP Moody, Major AD Adu, Captain Bongay, Captain Hafiju Maada Kanja and Captain Lawyer Mark Ngegba.

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Furthermore, for any media query, please contact the following:

1. Group Captain John Gbondo
Director, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 76 750 557

2. lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Bangura
Staff Officer Grade 1, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 252 625

3. Major Yayah Brima
Staff Officer Grade 2, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 452 876