By Alusine Fullah
Francis Ben Kaifala, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner (ACC) of Sierra Leone has presented a cheque of Ten Billion (Old) Leones (Le10BN) to President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio as part of its non-conviction based asset recovery approach.
The presentation ceremony, marked by its importance, unfolded at the State House in Freetown. ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. emphasized that their robust anti-corruption strategy encompasses asset recovery alongside prosecution, prevention, and public education.
He stated, “In Africa, we are a leading example in the way to fight corruption and I am proud to say many other countries are following and learning from us.”
The funds handed over are specifically derived from non-conviction-based asset recovery efforts, distinct from other recoveries made for Government agencies, court-imposed fines, and assets like properties, laptops, and vehicles.
President Bio acknowledged the ACC’s vigilant efforts in this challenging endeavor, commending them for their dedication. He underscored his administration’s commitment to fighting corruption, highlighting substantial recoveries and the nation’s unprecedented progress in transparency indexes over the past five years. Meanwhile, the President encouraged the ACC Team to remain resolute as they continue their pursuit of combating corruption within the country.
In another development, the ACC Commissioner presented the Commission’s 2022 Annual Report to President Bio, as mandated by Section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, amended in 2019. This comprehensive report details the Commission’s activities, significant accomplishments, and the hurdles encountered in the battle against corruption throughout 2022.
The fight against corruption since the arrival of the New Direction government has been fierce and intensive. In line with the foregoing, in 2019 Sierra Leone was ranked 3rd out of 35 African countries surveyed on Government’s effectiveness in the fight against corruption. The report was launched in Sierra Leone on 11th July, 2019 by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR). However, corruption has threatened sustainable economic development, ethnics’ values and justice; it has destabilized our society and endangered the rule of law. Indeed, since independence, corruption has been pernicious in Sierra Leone. As corruption continues to fly high in all MDAs, suffering/ poverty continues to bite deep on the people.
