ACCSL/PR/19/012

2nd August, 2019

PRESS RELEASE

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on 1st August, 2019, indicted AKMED KARIM, of No. 49 Matindi House, Brookfields, Freetown; MARY BANYA, of No. 26 Pasonage Street, Kissy Freetown; and MOMODU ALLIEU SOW, of 7 College Road, Freetown, all Customs Officers stationed at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, on TWO (2) COUNTS each, of Soliciting an Advantage contrary to Section 28(2), and of Accepting an Advantage, contrary to Section 28 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.12 of 2008.

According to the particulars of offence, AKMED KARIM, and MARY BANYA, between the 1st December 2018 and 28th February 2019, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, solicited and accepted an Advantage to wit: Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Leones (Le 2,500,000.00) from Sigismond Tommy Mei to facilitate the clearing process of a container belonging to Juan Ruiz, a businessman.

The particulars of offence further states that, between the 1st December 2018 and 28th February 2019, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, MOMODU ALLIEU SOW solicited and Accepted an Advantage to wit: Three Million Leones (Le 3,000,000.00) from Sigismond Tommy Mei to undervalue a boat belonging to Juan Ruiz, a businessman.

The three (3) indicted persons are expected to make their first appearance at the High Court of Sierra Leone Holden in Freetown on 12th August, 2019.  

The Commission wishes to reassure the public of its national commitment to controlling corruption at all times.

For further enquiries, please contact Margaret Murray, Public Relations Officer of the Anti-Corruption Commission on +232-78-832131.

PATRICK SANDI

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH