By Shaka Kamara, Pubic Education Officer, ACC
The Deputy Director of the Public Education and Outreach Department of the Anti-Corruption Commission Sierra Leone (ACC) Sylvanus Blake has called on freshmen of the Law Department of IMATT College to stay desist from all forms of corrupt practices and exhibit the highest required standards.
He was speaking on Thursday, 9th October 2025, while addressing staff and first year law students of the college, during their orientation ceremony held at the college’s Kingtom campus.
In his powerful and motivating speech on the importance of upholding integrity in both academic and personal life, Mr Blake started off by thanking the Administration of the IMATT College for their partnership with the ACC in promoting integrity and transparency in the education sector, which includes but not limited to the establishment of an Integrity Club on campus with the objective of instilling integrity in students.
“The law profession is one that thrives best on the shoulders of integrity and discipline. You all should know this, and be committed to doing your very best from the onset. That is the only route to becoming a lawyer. I urge you all to study hard, conform with and respect rules and regulations of this institution, and above all, uphold your integrity. Always do what is right even when it is hard to do and even when no one is watching you,’’ he stated.
Mr Blake encouraged the students to study hard, and adhere to established rules and regulations, in pursuit of their dreams to become lawyers. He went on to remind them that the law profession is an enviable one that does not compromise the core values of integrity, discipline and justice.
He made reference to Section 128(3) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, as amended in 2019, which criminalizes all forms of educational malpractice as a full-blown corruption offence that carries serious penalties, including a five-year jail term, a fine of 50,000 Leones, or both. He emphasized that examination malpractices do not only undermine the credibility of education but also affect national development. He cautioned both students and lecturers to stay away from practices that may constitute corruption, as the ACC remains undeterred in addressing all allegations of corruption, regardless of who is involved.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Director of the IMATT College, Amadu Justice Bah, welcomed the new students and took them through the institution’s regulations designed to protect both students and lecturers. He stated that, at IMATT College, they always strive to do what is right.
He assured the students that the Administration prioritizes fairness, justice, and equal rights. He underscored that the Administration had a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of examination malpractices and maintains an open, fair, and verifiable examination grading procedure.
ACC’s Public Education Officer and popular comedian, Shaka Kamara alia Yemata, entertained the jam-packed hall with motivational performances that demonstrated the importance of ethical behavior, transparency, accountability, discipline, and hard work. His performance brought excitement and laughter to the audience, reinforcing the message that integrity must be practised in every aspect of life.