May 31, 2021
By: Mohamed Jalloh
The Anti-Corruption Commission(ACC) has in a press release informed the general public that its attention has been drawn to allegations of grand corruption with regards the renovation and reconstruction of the Sierra Leone Chancery building in Manhattan,Newyork city, United States of America.
According to the ACC, the investigation would focus on an alleged misappropriation of over Four million United States Dollars (USD $4,000,000.00) of public funds that was transferred for that purpose since 2011 to 2019.
The Commission wishes it to be known that it had commenced forensic and comprehensive investigations into the allegations and that the head of Chancery and other persons of interest to the management of the finances of the chancery have been recalled to post.
The aim of recalling the diplomats is to assist with the speedy investigation and conclusion of the investigations.
In the meantime, statement is being taken from them and has been kept in custody since Friday, 28th May 2021.
It is noted in the release that documents and records relevant to the investigations are being analyzed by ACC`s forensic analysts.
“The public will be promptly informed of progress made with the investigations”. The release pointed out.
In this regard the commission wishes to reassure the public of its commitment to pursue corruption anywhere and to address all levels of corruption throughout Sierra Leone.