By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
In a strong display of regional collaboration, the Anti-Corruption Commission, Sierra Leone (ACC-SL), on Tuesday 17th September, 2024, hosted officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission of Cameroon (CONAC) at its Conference Room, Integrity House, Tower Hill Freetown.
Led by its Chairman, Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams, the delegation is on a three-day study visit focusing on the Commission’s innovative “Non-Conviction-Based Asset Recovery Model” in combating corruption.
In a joint meeting with staff of the ACC-SL and the visiting Team, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. provided an overview of the Non-Conviction-Based Asset Recovery Model. He noted that upon taking office, he identified the challenges posed by low costs of corruption and judicial processes. With cases he said, often languishing in the High Court for 3 to 6 years, the Commission had a significant backlog of cases. To address this he added, informed the establishment of a specialized “Anti-Corruption Division” within the High Court, with dedicated Judges aimed at expediting cases related to corruption.
“We adopted a pragmatic approach to fighting corruption, "Commissioner Kaifala explained.
He acknowledged the judicial system's constraints and the high burden of proof in criminal cases, which can favour the defense. This understanding he underscored, led to the incorporation of the Non-Conviction-Based Asset Recovery Model, as articulated in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), providing an alternative to the prosecution of corruption cases, particularly those relating to misappropriation.
He also highlighted the success stories of this model, adding that earlier this year, the ACC recovered 8.6 Million (New) Leones in less than a month, including imposing a ban on holding public offices by the culprits. “Had these cases gone through the traditional court system, we would have expended huge resources with uncertain outcomes,” he concluded.
Chairman of CONAC Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams expressed appreciation of the ACC's work, adding, “Today, just like not so long ago when you presented this report in Ghana, we were very impressed. This is why we felt the need to come and learn.” He emphasized the importance of sharing effective strategies across Africa to build a stronger continent.
Dr. Gams further noted the shared challenges of civil unrest driven by corruption in both Cameroon and Sierra Leone. He lauded the Political Will demonstrated in Sierra Leone as a crucial factor in its successes against corruption, remarking, “You are youth, and you have all these initiatives; this is very commendable.”
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie whilst welcoming the Cameroonian team, dilated on the ACC's formation in 2000 as an outcome of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, which identified corruption as one of the major antecedents to the country’s civil unrest.
He assured the delegation that insights into the Commission’s successes, including the Non-Conviction-Based Asset Recovery Model, would be thoroughly shared.
The visiting delegation also comprised, Mrs. Irene Morikang Tche, Head of the Prevention and Communication Division, and Djomguemngoko Diminique, Assistant Research Officer in the Cooperation and Study Division.
The engagement culminated in the presentation of an award to the Commissioner and Deputy, followed by a tour of the ACC's Operational Departments, where Directors dilated and elaborated on their various works and activities and their corresponding positive impacts on the fight against corruption in the country.
This visit does not only foster knowledge exchange but also strengthens regional ties in the ongoing fight against corruption whilst notably underscoring the increasing interest among African nations in Sierra Leone’s effective strategies, approaches and methodologies employed in combating the scourge.
The team also participated in key current affairs programs on television and radio, in order to interact with the populace and explain their expectations and reasons for choosing Sierra Leone for benchmarking and study visit regarding the fight against corruption.
In addition, the team paid working visits to the Acting Auditor-General of the Audit Service Sierra Leone, the Acting Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police.
