By Juma Jalloh
An investigation into the head of Sierra Leone’s law school has taken a contentious turn after the director alleged he is being targeted for confronting corruption and sexual harassment within the institution.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) said on Monday it had opened a probe into Dr. Abu Bakarr Bangura, director of the Sierra Leone Law School, following a formal complaint by the Council of Legal Education.
“The Commission wishes it to be known that it has commenced an investigation into the matter, which it hopes to conclude within a month, with the full cooperation of all parties,” the ACC said, without detailing the allegations.
In interviews with local media, Bangura rejected the claims against him, saying the investigation was retaliation for actions he took against alleged wrongdoing by some members of staff.
He said he had moved to address corruption at the law school, including allegations of examination paper leaks and sexual harassment of female students by some tutors.
Bangura said he had dismissed certain staff members over the allegations and claimed that those affected were now fighting back by making false accusations against him.
He also accused Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice of acting outside the law in a manner that undermines his authority as director, arguing that the office does not have supervisory powers over the law school’s administration.
Additionally, Bangura alleged that some administrative staff were engaged in corrupt practices and contributing to the harassment of female students, further undermining the institution.
Public Review could not independently verify the claims, and it was not immediately clear whether the ACC investigation would examine the director’s allegations.
The ACC urged all parties involved to cooperate fully, reiterating its commitment to tackling corruption in the public sector.
The dispute has cast a spotlight on governance challenges at Sierra Leone’s only law school, raising broader concerns about accountability within the country’s legal education system.
