Sierra Leone Telegraph: 4 December 2019:
After much debate about proposed changes to Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption laws, aimed at strengthening the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as give much needed clarity to many areas enshrined in the 2008 legislation, president Bio yesterday granted his approval for the changes to become law.
The parliament of Sierra Leone voted unanimously several weeks ago, for the changes to become law after a lengthy debate. And today, the country now has a new and tough set of laws that both the government and the Anti-Corruption Commission say will help win the fight against corruption.
This is what the ACC says in a statement published today:
“The Commission (ACC) is pleased to inform the Public that His Excellency the President, BRIG. (RTD.) Dr. JULIUS MAADA BIO (Photo), on 3rd December, 2019, assented the Act that had been proposed by the Commission and the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, The Anti-Corruption (Amendment Act), 2019 thereby completing the process of making it law in Sierra Leone.
“The new progressive and very strong anti-corruption law increases the minimum punishment for major corruption offences to a minimum of five (5) years or a fine of not less than Le50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Leones); strengthens protection of those who assist the Commission – witnesses, informants and whistle blowers.
“It will allow the Commission to either prosecute corrupt public officers or recover from them all monies they misappropriate plus a minimum of 10% interest and a mandatory exclusion from holding public office for not less than 3 years; allows the Commission to proceed with trial of accused persons and convict them in absentia; shifts the evidential burden for offences involving offering or receiving an advantage (bribery); and allows the Commission to appeal against sentences that are deemed lenient or disproportionate to the offence charged.
“Furthermore, The Anti-Corruption (Amendment Act), 2019, widens the scope of corruption with respect to Offering and Soliciting an Advantage to include accepting, obtaining or receiving an advantage; reduces to three (3) months the hitherto year-long requirement for Public Officers to file asset declaration upon leaving office; Reduces the pool of categories of public officers who are required to declare their assets which will now be limited to Persons in elective offices, Persons appointed by the President, Public officers in grade 7 and above, and Public officers below grade 7 who:
(i) handle or control public cash or goods
(ii) make official decisions or recommendations relating to the granting or denial of licenses in regulatory sectors
(iii) conduct research or prepare analytic reports for higher level officials who make critical decisions on financial, economic or regulatory policies
(iv) are in regulatory agencies responsible for regulatory compliance, monitoring and inspection; and further empowers the Commissioner to specify categories of Public Officers outside the foregoing who are required to declare their assets for various reasons and as may be expedient.
“Additionally, The Anti-Corruption (Amendment Act), 2019 provides for administrative sanctions for Public Officers who fail to submit their Asset Declaration Forms as and within the time prescribed by the Act including withholding their salaries, suspension from public service after 3 months and removal from public service after 6 months (the last two do not apply to offices for which removal from office is prescribed by the Constitution; but their salaries can be withheld); provides clear redress for public officers who knowingly record false, inaccurate or misleading information; changes the interval for declaring assets from annually to bi-annually to give room for analysis and proper tracking; dispenses with need for Commissioners of Oath to attest Asset declaration forms and replaces it with Penal Affirmation either electronically or personally; and creates room for the digitization of the declaration process and regime. (Photo: ACC Chief – Francis Ben Kaifala).
“Finally, The Anti-Corruption (Amendment Act), 2019 vests in the Office of the Commissioner power to direct that contracts may not be proceeded with where the Commissioner, in concurrence with the Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority, has reason to believe that a contract is not in the national interest (having corrupt elements which are clearly defined in the Act).
“It also adds severe consequences for a public officer who proceeds to sign the contract having received the Commissioner’s notification including imprisonment and a hefty fine after summary trial. It also creates a clear power for the commission to investigate examination malpractices with punishment including 5 years imprisonments for culprits who engage in, aid, abet, counsel or procure it; etc.
“The Commission wishes to thank His Excellency President, BRIG. (RTD.) Dr. JULIUS MAADA BIO, and PARLIAMENT for courageously promulgating and enacting these far-reaching and very progressive reforms that will certainly revolutionize the national campaign against corruption in the country, consolidate and expand the gains made so far by making corruption a high risk and low return venture, and making corruption control legal and regulatory framework more robust.
“We remain committed to introducing legal, policy and regulatory reforms that suit the corruption culture and environment to make the difference required in Sierra Leone’s long battle against historically endemic corruption.”
This is a great push for the ACC. The President has once again proved that he is ready to account for his stewardship after he leaves office. The first one was the setting up of the COI on the former government. Bravo President Bio! Well done Ben.
I support this law and hope that the ACC will carry out its duties in the best interest of our country. I would like if possible, an amendment on this law to include ‘tips’ received from other countries by officials (from the President right down the ladder) who travel abroad that are not declared.
Tips received from any overseas trip by any government official or their ENTOURAGE/DELEGATION must be declared and given to CHARITIES doing great work in the country for example. Tips can amount to THOUSANDS or MILLIONS of DOLLARS per year. Significant figures if I’m not mistaken. Thanks to the President and our PARLIAMENTARIANS for making such an amendment.
GOD BLESS THE ACC BOSS.
Sounds like the ACC has been reinforced with fresh battle gear; we are looking forward to a full utilization of the entire arsenal in their possession with a sense of patriotism, devoid of any political, regional, or tribal consideration. We wish you well Mr. Kaifala.