By Emma Black
In a significant show of accountability and institutional cooperation, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday, 9th July 2025, officially handed over a cheque of One Million New Leones (equivalent to One Billion Old Leones) to the Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the presentation ceremony was held at the ACC’s Integrity House in Freetown, marking a major milestone in the ongoing recovery of funds allegedly misappropriated from the Freetown City Council (FCC).
The funds were recovered following a thorough ACC investigation into the suspected diversion of Three Million New Leones from the Council’s revenues. According to the Commission, the FCC Football Club account was fraudulently used as a conduit to siphon the funds. Investigations revealed that certain FCC staff, in collaboration with some banking personnel, unlawfully withdrew the monies in a well-orchestrated scheme.
ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, Esq while presenting the cheque, underscored the critical importance of inter-agency collaboration and financial redress in the fight against public sector corruption.
This one million leones is a symbolic instalment of what we have already recovered, Commissioner Kaifala stated. The remaining amount will be transferred in due course. We are committed to ensuring full recovery and transparency. The evidence makes it clear that this could not have happened without collusion between internal actors at the Council and bank staff.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who received the cheque on behalf of FCC, expressed sincere appreciation to the ACC for its diligent work and timely intervention. She noted that while the Council had initiated preliminary inquiries, it was the Commission’s legal authority and investigative power that uncovered the full depth of the corruption.
This is not just about recovering money, the mayor said, it is about sending a strong message that public funds must be protected, and those who betray public trust will be held accountable, the cooperation between the FCC and ACC has been constructive, not confrontational, as many had speculated.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr also voiced concern over the extent of collusion between FCC staff and financial institutions, calling it a “deep disappointment” that damages public trust. She added that the Council intends to invest the recovered funds into a new community project, with full recognition given to the ACC for making the initiative possible.
The recovered funds will be channelled into a transparent, impactful project, she assured, we will proudly acknowledge the ACC for enabling this seed investment.
Deputy ACC Commissioner Augustine Foday Ngobie, FCC Chief Administrator Tom Rahman Farma, and other senior officials from both institutions were present during the handover, signifying a united front in the fight against graft.
This latest recovery reflects the ACC’s steadfast dedication to tracing, retrieving, and returning misappropriated public resources to the people of Sierra Leone. It also reinforces the vital role of institutional partnerships in strengthening governance, rebuilding public trust, and safeguarding development funds.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,11th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
