Francis Minah

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. He had previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Health, Minister of Trade and Industry and Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

His Excellency

Francis Minah

C.O.R.S.L.
1st Vice President of Sierra Leone
In office
1984–1987
MonarchElizabeth II
Prime MinisterSiaka Probyn Stevens
Preceded bySorie Ibrahim Koroma
Succeeded byAbu Bakar Kamara
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone
In office
1982–1984
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
Minister of Finance
In office
1979–1982
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone
In office
1977–1979
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office
1975–1977
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
Minister of Trade and Industry
In office
1973–1975
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
House of Representatives Sierra Leone Member
In office
1967–1987
MonarchElizabeth II
PresidentSiaka Probyn Stevens
Personal details
Born
Francis Misheck Minah

(1929-08-19)August 19, 1929
Sawula, Pujehun District, British Sierra Leone
DiedFreetown, Sierra Leone
Cause of deathExecution (hanging)
CitizenshipBritish subject, Sierra Leone
NationalitySierra Leonean
Political partyAll People's Congress (APC)
Spouse(s)Gladys Emuchay Minah
Children6 children
EducationMethodist Boys High School
Alma materKing's College London
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionLawyer
AwardsCommander, Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (C.O.R.S.L.)
United Nations Educational fellowship
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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, 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.[3] 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.[3]

In October 1987, after a five-month trial and four hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict.[3] The former First Vice President and 17 others were convicted of treason and sentenced to death.[3]

Legacy

He is survived by his son Vandi Chidi Minah, who went on to serve as the Sierra Leonean Ambassador to the United Nations and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.[4][5][6]

References
  1. Bangura, Sekou Dauda (2008-02-12). "Why all the fuss over F.M. Minah ? – Cocorioko". cocorioko.net. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  2. Fyle, Magbaily C. (2006-03-27). Historical Dictionary of Sierra Leone. Scarecrow Press. p. 132. Retrieved 2018-07-09. francis%20minah%20sierra%20leone.
  3. "Former Vice President Convicted Of Treason, Sentenced To Death". AP News. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  4. "F.M. Minah's son appointed deputy minister". Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  5. "Vandi Chidi Minah". www.iom.int. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  6. "Sierra Leone". www.washdiplomat.com. Retrieved 2018-07-09.

Further reading
Political offices
Preceded by
Sorie Ibrahim Koroma		 First Vice President of Sierra Leone
1985-1987		 Succeeded by
Abu Bakar Kamara
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