Francis Minah
His Excellency Francis Minah | |
---|---|
Vice President of Sierra Leone | |
In office 1984–1987 | |
Prime Minister | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
Preceded by | Sorie Ibrahim Koroma |
Succeeded by | Abu Bakar Kamara |
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone | |
In office 1982–1984 | |
President | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
Minister of Finance of Sierra Leone | |
In office 1978–1981 | |
President | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
Preceded by | Abu Bakar Kamara |
Succeeded by | |
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone | |
In office 1977–1979 | |
President | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
In office 1975–1977 | |
President | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
Minister of Trade and Industry | |
In office 1973–1975 | |
President | Siaka Probyn Stevens |
House of Representatives Sierra Leone Member | |
In office 1967–1987 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Francis Misheck Minah August 19, 1929 Sawula, Pujehun District, British Sierra Leone |
Died | Freetown, Sierra Leone |
Cause of death | Execution (hanging) |
Citizenship | British subject, Sierra Leone |
Nationality | Sierra Leonean |
Political party | All People's Congress (APC) |
Spouse(s) | Gladys Emuchay Minah |
Children | 6 children |
Education | Methodist Boys High School |
Alma mater | King's College London |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Lawyer |
Awards | Commander, Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (C.O.R.S.L.) United Nations Educational fellowship |
Francis Misheck Minah (19 August 1929 – 1989) was a Sierra Leonean statesman, lawyer and politician who served as First Vice President of Sierra Leone from 1985 to 1987 under President Siaka Stevens.[1] An ethnic Mende from the Pujehun District, he became a member of the House of Representatives in 1967.[citation needed] He had previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Trade and Industry and Attorney General and Minister of Justice.[citation needed]
In 1987, he was falsely accused by Inspector General Bambay Kamara of plotting a coup against President Joseph Saidu Momoh and hanged for treason in 1989.
Early life and education[]
Minah was born on 19 August 1929 in Sawula, Pujehun District, British Sierra Leone.[2] He was a cousin of Siaka Probyn Stevens.[1] He received his education at Methodist Boys High School and read law at King's College London.[2] In 1962, he was called to the bar at Grays Inn.[2]
Minah was a member of the Mende ethnic group.
Career and politics[]
He operated a private law practice in Sierra Leone.[2] He was one of Siaka Stevens' closest political allies.[1]
In 1967, he entered politics and became a member of Parliament for Pujehun South District rising through the ranks and eventually becoming Vice President of Sierra Leone.[2] During his tenure, Minah became one of the most powerful politicians in Sierra Leone.[1]
Minah orchestrated the constitutional amendments necessary for President Stevens to pass over Vice President S.I.Koroma and make Brigadier General Joseph Saidu Momoh his successor.[1]
He returned to Sierra Leone and served in many capacities as Sierra Leone's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Minister of Finance,[3] under former president Siaka Stevens. He was later appointed the Vice President of Sierra Leone under former president Joseph Saidu Momoh administration.
Trial and execution[]
On 23 March 1987, police raided a house in Freetown and reported the discovery of heavy artillery, including rocket launchers.[4] Minah and 17 others (including Jamil Sahid Mohamed) were arrested and accused of planning to assassinate President Momoh and intending to stage a coup d'état in order to make Minah president of Sierra Leone.[4]
In October 1987, after a five-month trial and four hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict.[4] The former First Vice President and 17 others were convicted of treason and sentenced to death.[4]
Legacy[]
He is survived by his son , who went on to serve as the Sierra Leonean Ambassador to the United Nations and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.[5][6][7]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Bangura, Sekou Dauda (2008-02-12). "Why all the fuss over F.M. Minah ? – Cocorioko". cocorioko.net. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Fyle, Magbaily C. (2006-03-27). Historical Dictionary of Sierra Leone. Scarecrow Press. p. 132. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
francis%20minah%20sierra%20leone.
- ^ "Chiefs of State and Cabinet members of foreign governments / National Foreign Assessment Center. 1978July-Dec". HathiTrust.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Former Vice President Convicted Of Treason, Sentenced To Death". AP News. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ "F.M. Minah's son appointed deputy minister". Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ "Vandi Chidi Minah". www.iom.int. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
- ^ "Sierra Leone". www.washdiplomat.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
Further reading[]
- James Bambay Kamara
- John Amadu Bangura
- Joseph Saidu Momoh
- Siaka Probyn Stevens
External links[]
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- 1929 births
- 1989 deaths
- Alumni of King's College London
- Executed Sierra Leonean people
- Vice-presidents of Sierra Leone
- People executed by Sierra Leone by hanging
- 20th-century executions by Sierra Leone
- All People's Congress politicians
- Finance ministers of Sierra Leone
- Foreign Ministers of Sierra Leone
- Government ministers of Sierra Leone
- Mende people
- Attorneys-General of Sierra Leone
- People from Pujehun District