Sierra Leone Telegraph: 14 February 2020:
Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has this week, charged a second group of public officials to court for corruption, signifying the Commission’s resolve and determination to successfully investigate and prosecute those illegally making a living out of public funds.
Today, the ACC said that on Monday, 10th February, 2020, it filed an indictment against former Revenue Officer – Abubakarr Sidikie Kamara; and Mariama Ballah Conteh and Jeneba Sesay, Revenue Officers in the Report Processing and Return Payment (RPRP) Department of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), on eight counts of Misappropriation of Public Revenue, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.
According to the ACC, between March 2018 and September 2019, Abubakarr Sidikie Kamara, in his then capacity as Revenue Officer in the RPRP Department of the NRA, misappropriated a total sum of Three Billion, Eighty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-Eight Thousand, and Five Leones (Le3, 088,878,005) of Public Revenue, in the form of Foreign Travel Taxes paid by the airliner – Royal Air Moroc, and Foreign Travel Taxes paid by Euro World SL Ltd.
Abubakarr Sidikie Kamara faces four counts of Misappropriation of Public Revenue, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.
The ACC also said that, between March and May 2018, Mariama Ballah Conteh who is currently employed as Revenue Officer in the RPRP Department of the NRA, misappropriated a total of One Billion, Seven Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Six Hundred Leones (Le1, 723,859,600) of public revenue, in the form of Foreign Travel Taxes paid by Euro World SL Ltd.
Mariama Ballah Conteh faces three counts of Misappropriation of Public Revenue, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.
The other accused – Jeneba Sesay, also a Revenue Officer currently employed in the RPRP Department of the NRA, is alleged to have misappropriated public revenue amounting to Five Hundred and Seventy Million, Two Hundred and Seven Thousand Leones (Le.570, 207,000.00), on 29th March 2018, in the form of Foreign Travel Tax paid by Euro World SL Ltd.
Jeneba Sesay faces one count of Misappropriation of Public Revenue, contrary to Section 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008.
All three accused are indicted for misappropriating a total sum of Five Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-two Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Five Leones (Le.5, 382,944,605) of collected taxes that should have gone into the public purse. They are expected to appear at the High Court in Freetown on 24th February, 2020.
The ACC’s statement says that it “wishes to reassure the general public of its unshaken resolve to fight acts of corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone, especially in revenue generating institutions, given the fact that they are the lifeblood of States, therefore crucial to State survival.”
I dont think this paper likes white men saying things about corruption. Because why would they deem my comment not worthy and delete. If an official or otherwise in goverment or not is stealing, jail them – make them pay interest on stolen money and take their property away. APC, SLPP, ACDC, UFC, anyone.
This is not about party politics, those that are found to have stolen and drained the country coffers must pay back ASAP. So far the ACC is doing a good job, the message is clear no more business as usual in which the corrupt go free and are hailed For constructing few kilometres of road dubbed the most expensive.
We are watching this government as well; if any of them is found wanting they must face the full force of the law. As for the president, his drive on corruption must be commended; first time in the history of Sierra Leone has a leader been so committed to fight corruption.
In Sierra Leone,my only home, everyone you have met can boast, of having dirty,filthy,and corrupt hands,even fine women with delicate nails,painted faces,and expensive hairdos.(lol) Good to hear,the ACC is taking them to court; Now they have to drag those SLPP officials, that stole donated Chinese rice to court before I will become slightly convinced that they mean business. After that,they must look into, the budget overspending that took place in the Ministry of Finance,under the watchful eyes of the “Hangman” JJ Saffa whose cruel noose has been choking,and strangling the good people of Sierra Leone.The ACC must know that it is not enough,to arrest only the small fries; The Big Willys,must be reined in also.
A bribery scandal still hangs over the Chief Ministers head,we need better clarification from the ACC so that the general public will finally be able to understand that David Francis is not a low life,freeloading thief.(lol) A Good for nothing ACC it seems is finally beginning to see the light.(lol) Rising Sun Will Rise Again.