The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Friday 11th August, 2023 presented to His Excellency, President Brig. (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown a cheque of Le10, 000, 000, 000.00 (Ten Billion Leones Old Notes) as part of its non-conviction based asset recovery approach.

Presenting the cheque to President Bio, the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., said a strong anti-corruption effort goes after the assets in addition to strategies like prosecution, prevention and public education and not just the person.

He stated: “In Africa, we are a leading example in the way to fight corruption and I am proud to say many other countries are following and learning from us.”

The anti-graft agency boss noted that the cheque presented by the ACC was part of the non-conviction-based asset recovery efforts only; and does not include monies recovered on behalf of Government agencies, fines imposed by the courts, and other assets recovered like houses, laptop computers and vehicles.

Receiving the cheque, the President thanked the ACC Commissioner and his team for the way they have spearheaded what he described as “one of the most difficult fights, admirably.”

He said he was proud of his administration’s anti-corruption efforts, citing the huge recoveries made and the country’s unprecedented progress in credible local and international transparency indexes in the last five years.President Bio further encouraged the ACC Team to “toughen their spine” as they pursue acts of corruption in the country.At the same event, the Commissioner of the ACC also presented to the President the Commission’s 2022 Annual Report in compliance with Section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019.

The Annual Report, among other things, catalogues the activities of the Commission, the remarkable achievements made and the challenges faced in the fight against corruption in 2022.
Credit: ACC PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER