The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the general public that, it has received several complaints on allegations of malpractices, extortion and the wanton use of mobile phones by candidates, with the consent of the Invigilators at Examination Centers, in the on-going West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE); contrary to the established position of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, (MBSSE), and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
The Commission further wishes to draw the attention of the public to, Section 128 (3) of the Anti-Corruption Amended Act of 2019, which states that; “A person who engages in corrupt activity or practice, in a programme organized or conducted by an educational institution or examination body, to confer advantage on himself or another person commits an offence”.
Therefore, the Commission wishes to reiterate its position that school authorities, invigilators and all examination officials must not demand or accept any form of ADVANTAGE or BRIBE from pupils, parents, guardians and counterpart school authorities, to facilitate examination malpractices including, spying, the wanton use of mobile phones and possessing foreign materials in the on-going Examination.
The general public is reminded and cautioned that, the Elite Scorpion Squad of the Commission will swiftly move in, should intelligence establish organized examination malpractice cells and networks, and will arrest and detain all involved should they find evidence, and prosecute accordingly.
In that regard, the public is encouraged to make complaints or reports to the ACC, at its Headquarter Office, Tower Hill, in Freetown, 10 Bo-Pujehun Drive, Kebbie Town in Bo, Reservation Road, Off Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema, Mena Hills in Makeni, 18 Sannsie Street, Off Kainkordu Road, Koidu and 13 Sheriffa Street, Port Loko City; or on the hotlines, 077-985-985 and 077-986-986.
Meanwhile, the ACC wishes to further reassure the public of its undeterred commitment to controlling corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone.
For further enquires on this and other ACC matters, please contact Sylvanus Blake, Public Relations Officer on +232-78-832131 or via email info@anticorruption.gov.sl.
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PATRICK SANDI
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
