The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Office in Kono, on Friday, 23rd January 2026, engaged local court personnel in Koidu in response to numerous reports received from the public regarding alleged unethical conduct by some local court staff in the district. The engagement, held at the District Office Conference Room in Koidu, forms part of the Commission’s broader efforts to heighten public awareness on corruption and other unethical practices in the administration of justice.
The session brought together key stakeholders, including local court chairpersons and clerks, the Senior District Officer (SDO), Assistant District Officer (ADO), and the Coordinator of the Office of National Security (ONS). The engagement aimed to enlist their support in the fight against corruption and to promote accountability, transparency, and integrity in court operations. It also provided an open forum for participants to share concerns and discuss challenges encountered in their respective jurisdictions.
Declaring the purpose of the engagement, Andrew Demby Esq., Acting Regional Director of the ACC Kono Office, underscored the Commission’s mandate under Section 7 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 (as amended in 2019) to conduct public education. He explained that the engagement was prompted by a surge in complaints alleging misconduct by Local Court authorities, particularly regarding excesses in case adjudication. He noted that the session also served as a capacity-building platform to equip public officers involved in justice delivery with critical knowledge on corruption risks, consequences, and the importance of due process and ethical standards.
Director Demby highlighted reported malpractices, including the imposition of disproportionate fines, illegal charges, solicitation and acceptance of undue advantages, and presiding over cases outside lawful jurisdiction for personal gain. He reiterated that the Local Court Act, 2011 governs the establishment and operations of Local Courts and warned that officers found culpable of abuse of office or position, among other offences, would face legal consequences.
In his statement, Samuel Bockarie, the Central Chiefdom Administrative Clerk (C.C.A.C) for Kono District, advised Local Court Chairpersons and Clerks to strictly adhere to the Local Court Act, 2011 when adjudicating cases. He emphasized the importance of operating within their territorial and material jurisdictions, noting that rulings made outside lawful jurisdiction remain subject to appeal.
Speaking at the event, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Sam P. Gogra, commended the strong turnout, describing it as a reflection of participants’ willingness to deepen their understanding of corruption-related issues. He stressed that combating corruption is a collective responsibility, not solely the task of the ACC, and described the engagement as a platform to reinforce the principles of integrity, due diligence, transparency, and accountability.
Patricia J. Sannoh, Public Education Officer at the ACC Kono Office, emphasized that the Commission remains accountable to the public through continuous engagement and information sharing. She encouraged participants to resist, reject, and report corruption, and urged them to adopt a culture of integrity and ethical conduct in line with recommended best practices.
Responding on behalf of participants, Senior District Officer William B. Ngegbai described the engagement as “timely and highly significant.” He acknowledged existing training gaps among District Office staff and expressed the need for further capacity-building initiatives. Nevertheless, he reaffirmed that many staff members remain committed to professionalism, integrity, and diligent service despite prevailing challenges.
