3. Page 3 T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kenema on Wednesday, 29th May, 2024 enlightened staff of Kenema Government Hospital on the dangers of corruption, during a customized meeting held at the Hospital Hall in Kenema City. Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Senior Public Ed- ucation Officer (SPEO), Edward N. Blake said, the A CC’s visit was to enlighten the staff of the Hospital on the dan- gers of corruption and at the same time empower them with integrity messages as they discharge their responsibilities to the public. “In order to succeed in this fight, no segment should be left behind. And considering how significant your work is, it is prudent to have such engagement always so that you are made to clearly understand the destructive nature of corruption on society and the extent to which it negatively impacts our lives,” Mr. Blake furthered. The SPEO therefore encouraged the staff to feel relaxed and ask whatever questions they may need answers for in respect of the Commission’s operations. “ This is the friendly face of the Commission and we are here to engage you in a family like discussion that will eventually lead to making our beloved country great”, he concluded. ACC’s Public Education Officer, Patrick Hinga George, also emphasized on the dangers of corruption. According to the PEO, corruption is the ultimate enemy that has eaten deeply into the fabric of the country’s socio - economic development and has not only stagnated Medical Superintendent, Kenema Govt. Hospital, Dr. Abdulai Tejan Jalloh (standing) making a statement By : Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer, ACC the socio - economic growth of Sierra Leone, but has deep- ly exacerbated poverty. While referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Report, Mr George informed his audience that corruption was a major factor for the 11 - year civil war in Sierra Leone, reminding the staff of the carnages caused by such senseless and barbaric era and entreated them to stand very firm with the ACC in the fight against corruption. “We succeeded in the fight against Ebola and the global pandemic –COVID - 19 as a country because we listened to the advice from you medical practitioners. Corruption is multiple times dangerous than Ebola and COVID - 19 put together. We therefore entreat you to listen to the ACC’s anti - corruption sermons by strongly upholding integrity in the discharge of your services to the public,” he concluded. While explaining key corruption offences more likely to be committed by public officers, Senior Investigation Officer, Belinda Hebron stated that misappropriation of public funds or property, misappropriation of donor funds or property, abuse of office, abuse of position, conflict of interest, stand tall among others. She went further to en- lighten them as to how the said offences are committed. Ms. Hebron reminded them also of the need to constantly uphold integrity and high standards of professionalism in the discharge of their services to the public. As medical practitioners, you know you are not a pharmacy and therefore, your policy does not allow you to sell drugs to patients. Do not also take the free medical drugs supplies and sell them and above all, do not exploit your patients–uphold integrity, she emphasized. Contd on Pg 2

4. Page 4 Contd from Pg 1 Group photo of staff of LACC, ACC - SL, INHR - Liberia, HRCSL and OHCHR suspects before transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department. He furthered that the maximum number of days as provided for by law for economic crimes - which we deal with, is 10 days and all corruption offences are Felonious offences but are all bailable. He further noted that the Commission has provision for Doctors to readily attend to suspects in detention who will need medical attention. Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Counsellor Alexandra K. Zoe, in her submission spoke about her institution’s legal posture and general operations. She stated that upon her recent appointment to head the country’s lead anti - graft agency, she is poised to have systems and structures in place in order to revolutionize their cause of fighting corruption. This she stressed is what informs their visit to Sierra Leone. She spoke about their assets declaration regime that targets Public Officers across the board including entry declaration with- in 30 days from appointment, promotion and every three years. “In keeping with the President of Liberia 100 days plan for all public officers to sign the Integrity Pledge, we are rolling it out now for public officers to sign”, noting that, they have whistle - blower and witness protection mechanisms, and reward scheme for informers when their report lead to recoveries and are entitled to 3% of any recovered proceeds. The LACC Boss also spoke about some the difficulties they encounter with prosecution as their cases are snail - paced, since they fall in queue with other civil and criminal cases charged to the courts. She also stated that, they have an existing National Anti - Corruption Strategy, admitting that there is a clear need for its review. Madam Zoe further acknowledged the need for more experience sharing and emphasised the dire need for support as she desires getting stronger systems in place. The Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia, Christian Mukosa,in his presentations spoke about the two components underpinning the engagements stating that, there is but a clear link between Human Rights and Corruption, as corruption leads to poverty describing it as the biggest human rights violation. He also said that corruption leads to the diversion of resources into one’s pocket. Resources that are meant to build schools and provide quality education, or build hospitals which will ensure that women’s rights to healthcare and tackle maternal mortality, noting the clear link between corruption and human rights. He further revealed that during their visit to the Residual Special Court in Sierra Leone, they realized that corruption is listed as one of the major causes of the country’s decade long civil war. He highlighted that the current Government in Liberia has demonstrated the desire and intent to establish two courts, one to focus on war crimes and crimes against humanity and the other, the Anti - Corruption Court. He also stated that Liberia and Sierra Leone share a lot of similarities in history and context and that as well informs the engagements. He also disclosed a plan to organize a Dialogue in Monrovia in September, 2024 to further deepen the conversations on complementarily issues and the way - forward relating to the two organizations in the two sister countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. Various statements were made by Chairpersons of the Human Rights Commission, Sierra Leone, Patricia Naasu Ndanema, Vice Chairperson, Victor I. Lansana Esq, and Counsellor T. Dempester Brown, Chairperson of the Independent National Commission of Human Rights in Liberia. Earlier on the first day - 28th May, 2024, the ACC’s Coordinator of Operations, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq. as Chair of the meeting, took the team from LACC through the work of the Commission alongside the Directors of the various Departments zooming in on the specific roles and operations of their respective Departments. The said engagement was exclusively with the top officials of the Anti - Corruption Sierra Leone, the Liberia Anti - Corruption Commission and the OHCHR Representative, Christian Mukosa. By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC

2. Page 2 T he High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Kenema, presided over by the HON. JUSTICE FRANCIS BANKS KAMARA has on Tuesday, 28th May, 2024, convicted and sentenced SHEKU ABDULAI KAMARA , ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER of the Eastern Technical University (ETU) in Kenema, to pay a fine of ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND (NEW) LEONES (NLE 150,000) or serve FIFTEEN (15) YEARS imprisonment following his conviction on Three (3) Counts of Misappropriation of Public Revenue, Contrary to Section 36 (1) of the Anti - Corruption Act, No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the Anti - Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Honourable Justice also ordered the convict to pay restitution in the sum of SEVENTY - FIVE THOUSAND (NEW) LEONES ( NLE 75,000) being the total amount of money misappropriated. According to the particulars of the various offences , SHEKU ABDULAI KAMARA, on diverse dates, between January 2021 and December 2023, at Kenema, in the Eastern Region of the Republic of Sierra Leone, misappropriated public funds amounting to Seventy - Five Million, One Hundred and Sixty - Seven Thousand (Old) Leones (Le75,167,000) received from Twenty - One (21) Students as tuition fees for the Eastern Technical University. Earlier this year, the ACC filed an indictment against SHEKU ABDULAI KAMARA, on TWENTY - SIX (26) Counts of Misappropriation of Public Revenue. On Tuesday 28 th May, 2024, SHEKU ABDULAI KAMARA pleaded guilty to the first - three counts when he was arraigned for the second time. According to the Hon. Justice, the act by the convict, SHEKU ABDULAI KAMARA , is considered an “Educational Treason” and therefore not only an enemy to the State but also to the affected s tudents and their generations yet unborn. The Commission was represented by A.B.C Samuels Esq. whilst the convict was repres ented by S.S. Ansumana Esq. In her conclusion, the Senior Investigation Officer outlined the corresponding penalties; a minimum fine of fifty thousand (new) Leones, five - year imprisonment and/or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Judge. Earlier, while welcoming the team from the ACC, the Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Abdulai Tejan J alloh thanked the team from ACC and commended the good work of the Commission especially under the astute leadersh ip of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. He further expressed hope in winning the fight agains t corruption as a result of the overwhelming successes the ACC continues to record consistently in both national and international indexes. “With this kind of good work, I am optimistic that the name Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) will one day be changed to Integrity Compliance Commission (ICC) as corruption wo uld have been a thing of the past,” he opined. He concluded by pledging an unwavering commitment on behalf of his team to the national f ight against corruption. An interactive plenary session formed part of the meeting. Contd from Pg 3

1. 27th—31st May 2024 Issue 2 Volume 19 INTEGRITY HOUSE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Abubakarr Turay EDITORS Sylvanus Blake Alex A. Bah LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Philippa M Davies EDITORIAL ADVISERS Augustine Foday Ngobie Patrick Sandi T he Anti - Corruption Commission Sierra Leone (ACC - SL), on the 28th and 29th May, 2024 served as the host for a two - day Joint Experience Sharing Exchange meetings at its Conference Room, Integrity House, Tower Hill, Freetown involving; the Liberia Anti - Corruption Commission ( LACC) and the National Human Rights Commissions of Sierra Leone and Liberia, facilitated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human ACC - SL Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. (L) in warm handsahke with the Executive Chairman of the LACC Counsellor Alexandra K. Zoe in the office of the Commissioner - SL. By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia. The engagements which were anchored on the theme; "Scooping Best Practices for Strengthened Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Anti - Corruption in Liberia and Sierra Leone" attracted the Leaderships and Senior Management Officials of the Sierra Leone Anti - Corruption Commission and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone . In his statement, the Commissioner of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. expressed his appreciation for having the teams, noting the importance of continued collaboration. He spoke on the importance of Independence and the existence of an atmosphere for institutions fighting graft to do their work. He however delineated between normative and practical independence, highlighting the complexities but stark differences between the two. He underscored the relevance of independence beyond what the law provides. "In realistic terms, l believe in autonomy which is the ability to do your work without any interference or influence. That is what we enjoy in Sierra Leone and info rms the huge progress we have made over the past years under my leadership", he averred. Commissioner Kaifala disclosed the intricate connection and consideration of Human Rights in its work, adding that the Commission has a conducive holding Center to detain its Contd on Pg 4 ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. explaining the Sierra Leone experience in the fight against corruption and the gains made so far. Chairperson HRCSL, Mrs. Patricia N. Ndanema, Vice Chairperson Victor I. Lansana Esq. And the Liberia delegation OHCHR Representative Christian Mukosa at the experience sharing meetings