A major corruption scandal has been uncovered at the University of Sierra Leone (USL), centering around the Business Centre, once touted as a vital revenue-generating initiative for the institution. Originally established to support the university’s operational costs, the Centre has now become a symbol of dysfunction, alleged financial malpractice, and possible collusion within the former university administration.
The most alarming revelation is the conflict of interest surrounding the Business Centre’s operations. Investigations indicate that the Centre was reportedly managed by an unqualified individual who served both as vendor and procurement facilitator, a clear breach of ethical standards. This raises critical questions: Who appointed her, and under what authority?
Despite multiple formal requests, the current university administration has yet to receive any financial statements detailing the Business Centre’s revenue or expenditures. However, those operating the Centre continue to claim profitability without providing a single shred of evidence to support such assertions. What exactly is being hidden?
Even more troubling is the fact that official queries directed to the Business Centre manager were not answered by her, but rather by the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) of COMAHS, who was controversially appointed as Pro Vice-Chancellor by the previous university administration and court. Why is a senior university official responding on behalf of someone else? Is this merely deflection or a deliberate move to shield financial irregularities?
Investigations further uncovered that the same Business Centre Manager is also serving as the Finance Officer of the Research Office at COMAHS, placing her directly under the influence of the DVC. This dual role, uncommon in any transparent system, suggests a tightly woven web of unchecked power and potentially concealed financial dealings.
The scale of collusion and suspected corruption surrounding the Business Centre raises serious concerns about its long-term viability. Critical questions remain unanswered: Who has been benefiting from the Centre’s proceeds? And why has there been a total lack of financial transparency?
These revelations stem from independent reports conducted by various university sub-committees, and they paint a damning picture of a premier academic institution grappling with deep-rooted systemic rot. The complicity of senior university officials has further eroded public trust and tarnished the reputation of the University of Sierra Leone, both locally and internationally.
Minister Wurie has been widely praised for his bold stance against these entrenched corrupt practices. Her efforts to clean up the system and restore integrity to the university are seen as vital to safeguarding the institution’s credibility.
In the coming weeks, more investigations into cases of corruption, collusion, and administrative dysfunction under the former university leadership will be published by this press offering the public a full picture of the damage inflicted on one of the nation’s most prestigious institutions.