By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a formal ceremony held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) Integrity House in Tower Hill, Freetown, the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, Esq., presented a cheque of One Million New Leones to the Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.
This sum forms part of a total of Three Billion Old Leones (equivalent to One Million New Leones) recovered by the ACC after it was embezzled from the Freetown City Council (FCC).
According to Commissioner Kaifala, the stolen funds were siphoned through a complex collusion between certain FCC staff members and a bank employee. The ACC has successfully recovered the full amount from those implicated in the scheme.
“The culprits will face administrative sanctions, and prosecution will follow for the ring leaders,” Commissioner Kaifala affirmed. “This recovery represents a significant achievement in our fight against corruption within public institutions.”
The Commissioner added that the remaining funds will be transferred directly to the Council via bank transactions.
In her remarks upon receiving the cheque, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr expressed profound appreciation for the ACC’s swift and thorough work in recovering the stolen funds.
“I am pleased with the 100 percent recovery of the funds embezzled by unscrupulous individuals within the Council,” she said. “I commend the ACC for the speed, tenacity, professionalism, and accuracy with which the investigation was conducted. The funds will be used judiciously to support the ongoing development efforts within the Freetown municipality.”
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasized that the recovered funds will be channeled directly into FCC’s operations to enhance service delivery and infrastructure development for the citizens of Freetown.
