The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on Thursday, 9th November 2023, launched an on-the-spot monitoring exercise at the Immigration Department, Gloucester Street Freetown. 

The exercise is part of the measures taken to ascertain whether Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are compliant to review recommendations on best practices that will address corruption vulnerabilities in their service delivery efforts. 

Pursuant to the provisions in Section 7 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, as amended in 2019, systems and processes of the Immigration Department had been reviewed with recommendations proffered, which definitely required monitoring and follow-up.

Accordingly,  in the aforesaid on-the-spot monitoring exercise, the ACC arrested a certain Ibrahim Deen who is said to be an Intruder that approaches people asking them to pay 3 Million (Old) Leones for a Passport. 

The Commission also arrested John Reginald Conteh, who is said to be an Auxiliary staff of the Immigration Department and has worked there for about 5 years, but was alleged to be working in syndicate with the Intruder. 

Both arrested persons were handed over to the Immigration Department for action. Ibrahim Deen was taken to the Central Police Station for further investigation and action, whilst John Reginald Conteh-the Auxiliary Staff, was recommended for immediate dismissal. 

The Commission advised the Immigration Department to comply with the provisions in its Service Charter as it will be embarking on similar monitoring going forward. 

Members of the Public are therefore advised to comply with laid down procedures to obtain Passport that include an official fee of Two Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand (Old) Leones (NLe2,250,000).

Be it known to all that any suspected instances of corruption that include soliciting or accepting advantage, bribes, gifts or reward, etc. must be reported to the ACC instantly. 

©️ Public Relations Unit, ACC