BY PRECIOUS MIRACLE KARGBO
In a recent exposé on the daily Epic Good Morning Show, investigative journalist Lawrence Williams has uncovered a significant corruption scandal involving the disappearance of Le 50 billion from the National Revenue Authority’s (NRA) accounts. The revelation has sent shockwaves through Sierra Leone, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the country’s financial institutions.
According to Williams, the missing funds, which have been unaccounted for since 2023, point to a systemic issue of misappropriation and theft within the NRA. The scandal implicates Ecobank and another unnamed bank, alleging a complex scheme of collusion between bank officials and NRA staff to facilitate the embezzlement.
During his broadcast, Williams implicated Ibrahim Swaray, the former Head of NRA, suggesting that the embezzlement occurred under his tenure. The NRA, which maintained registered accounts with several prominent banks including Ecobank, serves as a crucial institution for tax collection in Sierra Leone.
Following Williams’ exposé, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) swiftly announced an investigation into the matter, emphasizing the need for thorough scrutiny until guilt or innocence is established. The ACC released a list of individuals allegedly involved in the fraud, some of whom have been placed on a “wanted” list, including staff members from Ecobank and other banks.
Interestingly, prior to the ACC’s announcement, Ecobank had conducted an internal investigation and dismissed all staff members allegedly implicated in the scandal. However, the bank chose not to disclose its findings to the public, citing credibility and institutional policy.
Williams criticized the sluggish response from the NRA, ACC, and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) in addressing the fraudulent activity. He pointed to previous incidents of corruption within the NRA, urging swift and decisive measures against those responsible.
The scandal underscores the pressing need to combat corruption in Sierra Leone’s financial sector and highlights deficiencies in security measures within banks. Williams called on all banks to prioritize strengthening their security systems to prevent further incidents of fraud.
In conclusion, Williams stressed the importance of holding individuals involved in the scandal accountable and urged the ACC to pursue legal action without delay. The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to establish accountability and transparency within Sierra Leone’s financial institutions.
