During an interview with Radio Democracy 98.1, Charles Francis Margai, the former Attorney General of Sierra Leone and presidential candidate for the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), shared his insights into why he believes he was dismissed by President Julius Maada Bio in 2018. Margai acknowledged the President's constitutional authority to hire and fire him but noted that no public explanation was ever given for his dismissal.
Margai firmly believes that President Bio is the only person who can comprehensively explain his dismissal to the nation. He mentioned that President Bio and Kanja Sesay even visited his house in 2018 to seek his support, a fact his wife can verify. Margai also recalled that on the day of his swearing-in ceremony as Attorney General, the President refused to shake hands with him.
According to Margai, he believes that his dismissal was prompted by his advice against the unconstitutional appointment of certain Cabinet members who fell under Section 76 1B of Sierra Leone's Constitution. He further expressed concerns about the President's appointment of the Chief Minister, arguing that it was unconstitutional since the Constitution only allows for a President and Vice President.
Margai also mentioned that he issued instructions for judges to retire at the age of 65 in order to prevent them from making erroneous interpretations of the law.
In conclusion, the leader of PMDC stated that a meeting took place at Kona Lodge on King Street, where Prof. Francis and Dr. Abass Bundu presented to the President, asserting that Margai was not a team player. Margai clarified that he does not hate the SLPP but disagrees with their approach to politics.