The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to inform the general public that it has, today 11th August, 2023, presented to His Excellency, President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, a cheque of TEN BILLION (OLD) LEONES (Le10BN), as part of its non-conviction based asset recovery approach. The presentation ceremony took place at State House in Freetown.

Presenting the cheque to President Bio, the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., said a strong anti-corruption effort goes after the assets in addition to strategies like prosecution, prevention and public education and not just the person. 

He stated, “In Africa, we are a leading example in the way to fight corruption and I am proud to say many other countries are following and learning from us.” 

He further noted that, the cheque presented by the ACC is part of the non-conviction-based asset recovery efforts only; and does not include monies recovered on behalf of Government agencies, fines imposed by the Courts, and other assets recovered like houses, laptop computers and vehicles. 

Receiving the cheque, the President thanked the ACC Commissioner and his Team for the way they have spearheaded what he described as “one of the most difficult fights, admirably.” He said he was proud of his administration’s anti-corruption efforts, citing the huge recoveries made and the country’s unprecedented progress in credible local and international transparency indexes in the last five years. He further encouraged the ACC Team to “toughen their spine” as they pursue acts of corruption in the country.

At the same event, the Commissioner of the ACC also presented to the President, the Commission’s 2022 Annual Report, in compliance with Section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019. The Annual Report among other things catalogues the activities of the Commission and the remarkable achievements made and the challenges faced in the fight against corruption in 2022.

For further enquiries on this and other ACC matters, please contact SYLVANUS BLAKE, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, on +232-78-832131 or via email info@anticorruption.gov.sl.

……………………………………

PATRICK SANDI

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH