May 14, 2021
By: Aruna Kamara (Bo)
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on the 29th April, 2021, filed an indictment against GLADYS SESAY, the District Health Sister One (DHS-1) of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) Bo, in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and of Government Reservation, Bo District, in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone, on Six (6) counts of corruption offences; three (3) counts of Accepting an Advantage, contrary to Section 28(2)(a) and Three (3) counts of Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2019. This was contained in ACC press release dated 7 May 2021.
According to the release, GLADYS SESAY, on different dates between the 1st March 2020 and the 30th June 2020, at Bo, separately accepted an Advantage and abused her office, to wit: accepted the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le350, 000) without lawful consideration, as an inducement; and improperly conferred an advantage on herself in the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le350, 000).
Meanwhile, GLADYS SESAY is expected to appear in the High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Bo on Thursday 20th May, 2021.
The Commission has reassured the general public of its continued resolve to curb public sector corruption and all levels of corruption in Sierra Leone, without fear or favor.
A-Z newspaper has reliably learnt that the Bo District Health Management is now worried about such action taken against their colleague and that tongues are wagging about who will be invited to court to testify.
This medium has also learnt that civil society organizations will be in court to monitor the court proceedings to ensure that justice is delivered on the scale of balance.
However, some Civil Society activists lauded the step taken by the ACC and expressed hope that substantial evidence will be adduced to win the matter.