By Josephine Sesay
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has strongly dismissed claims by Koidu Holdings (SL) limited and its parent company, Octea Limited, regarding an ongoing investigation and the alleged exoneration of first lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio.
In a statement, ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala labelled assertions in a May 6, 2025, letter from Octea to the office of the first lady as inaccurate and misleading. Kaifala clarified that Koidu Holdings is under active investigation for serious offences, including corporate tax evasion, unpaid employee social security contributions, violations of local labor laws, improper expatriate staffing, and possible collusion with state institutions to evade revenue obligations.
The investigation is ongoing, Kaifala stated. No evidence has been found to clear Koidu Holdings of corruption, bribery, or related offences, any claim otherwise is false.
ACC Director of public education and outreach, Abubakarr Turay, further debunked Octea’s suggestion that the commission had cleared Koidu Holdings. No final conclusions have been reached. We will update the public once the investigation is complete, Turay said.
Turay also addressed allegations against Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, which claimed she was investigated for misusing public and charitable funds for personal gain. He clarified that the ACC’s inquiry examined only the appropriateness of public funds allocated to the office of the first fady, these funds were consistent with allocations to previous first ladies through the office of the president or relevant ministries, Turay explained, we made preventative recommendations, which the government has implemented.
The ACC reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, the rule of law, and accountability for all, regardless of status, our investigations rely on evidence and due process, free from external influence, the statement concluded.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 12th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
