By Sulaiman Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., disclosed on Friday, April 4, 2025, that a staggering $720,144 (seven hundred twenty thousand, one hundred forty-four United States dollars) and 498,200 NLe (four hundred ninety-eight thousand, two hundred Leones) were transferred to the personal accounts of Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Thomas Daddy Brima between June 2021 and July 2024. The revelation came during a press conference at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) headquarters in Freetown, spotlighting alleged financial irregularities within the SLFA.
Kaifala highlighted that significant sums were disbursed to Brima with little to no documentation to justify the transactions, in violation of Section 8 of the SLFA manual, which governs payment procedures, most of these payments were direct cash transfers to Brima’s accounts,” he stated, noting that the SLFA president had been collecting match allowances from both the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the SLFA for the same trips, his personal dollar account receives funds exclusively from SLFA, CAF, and FIFA no other sources, Kaifala added.
The ACC boss cited a specific instance involving a trip by the under-17 team to Mauritania. Although Brima was not listed among the delegation, he claimed a $5,000 allowance $1,000 more than the $4,000 he would have been entitled to even if he had participated in the eight-day trip. Kaifala emphasized, this raises serious questions about accountability.
A review of SLFA’s bank statements from Commerce Mortgage Bank and Union Trust Bank between June 25, 2021, and July 12, 2024, confirmed that $720,144 was transferred to various accounts linked to Brima, including cash withdrawals. The SLFA’s finance officer, when questioned, failed to provide investigators with any credible explanation. Brima, however, defended his actions by citing Section 38 of the SLFA manual, a justification the ACC has yet to accept.
Addressing speculation, Kaifala firmly denied that the investigation was politically motivated. This probe began over six months ago, he clarified, our mandate is to tackle corruption across all MDAs Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and we will not relent, since taking office in 2018, Kaifala noted, the ACC has conducted three investigations into SLFA affairs, each yielding recommendations to improve governance. One key proposal was for SLFA to receive funds directly, bypassing the NSA, to enhance transparency a change yet to be fully implemented.
Kaifala underscored Sierra Leone’s passion for football, pointing out that the government allocates approximately $1 million per international match, given this investment, there must be accountability for every dollar spent, he insisted.
The investigation also exposed widespread procurement irregularities within the SLFA. Kaifala revealed that contracts were consistently awarded to a single company, Lexon, without proper advertisement or competitive bidding, evidence of forged receipts and other discrepancies further compounded concerns, these are not minor oversights, they demand justification, he stressed.
The ACC’s findings paint a troubling picture of financial mismanagement at the helm of Sierra Leone’s football governing body. Kaifala reiterated the commission’s commitment to rooting out corruption, urging the SLFA to adopt stricter controls and oversight, Sierra Leoneans deserve a football association that reflects their love for the game with integrity and efficiency, he concluded.
As the investigation progresses, all eyes are on Thomas Daddy Brima and the SLFA to address these allegations and restore public trust in an institution central to the nation’s sporting identity.