ACC Indicts the Mayor of Freetown for Corruption

29/11/2011 Othman Sheriff

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

CATHEDRAL HOUSE

3 GLOUCESTER STREET, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA

TEL: 232-22 221468

FAX: 232-22 221900 28th November 2011

 

PUBLIC EDUCATION AND EXTERNAL OUTREACH

PRESS RELEASE

 

THE MAYOR TOGETHER WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FREETOWN CITY COUNCIL AND

EIGHT (8) OTHERS INDICTED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES

The Anti-Corruption Commission has today 28th November 2011 filed in the High Court of Freetown a twenty five (25) count indictment against the Mayor of the Freetown City Council, the Chief Administrator and eight (8) others on various corruption offences ranging from:

Conspiracy to commit Corruption Offences in the sum of Le744,450,000 (Seven Hundred and Forty Four Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones) relating to a two-day Morgan Heritage Concert;

Misappropriation of Public Funds to the tune of Le1,047,216,300 and USD$19,000 (One Billion and Forty Seven Million, two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Three Hundred Leones) and (Nineteen Thousand United States Dollars);

Failure to comply with applicable rules and guidelines relating to the Procurement of Contract for services involving the sum of US165,000 ( One Hundred and Sixty Five Thousand United States Dollars);

Failure to pay (“PAYE”) Taxes amounting to Le430,412,432 (Four Hundred and Thirty Million, Four Hundred and twelve Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty Two Leones) being monies deducted from Employees Salaries that were not paid over to the NRA;

Failure to pay NASSIT Contributions in the sum of Le76,123,246.20 (Seventy Six Million, One Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty Six Leones, Twenty Cents) being monies deducted from Employees Salaries that were not paid over to NASSIT, amongst others.

The ten accused persons are:

1. Herbert Akieremi George-Williams – Mayor, Freetown City Council

2. Bowenson Frederick Phillips – Chief Administrator, Freetown City Council

3. Arthur Kwesi-John – Deputy Chief Administrator, Freetown City Council

4. Sylvester Momoh Konnehi – Acting City Treasurer

5. Desmond Thomas – Head of Cashier’s Office – Freetown City Council

6. Franklyn Garber – Senior Engineer, Freetown City Council

7. Alimamy Turay – Municipal Trade Officer – Freetown City Council

8. Nimata Bendu –Former Finance Officer – Lumley Government Hospital

9. Aiah Brimah, Development Planning Officer – Freetown City Council

10. Mohamed Allie Shaaban – Business Man operating as “Waka Fast” Construction and General Services.

All ten persons will be arraigned before the High Court in Freetown on the 5th of December 2011.

Meanwhile, the Mayor, Herbert Akieremi George-Williams and the Chief Administrator, Bowenson Frederick Phillips, have both been served with copies of the Indictment and put on bail in the sum of Le500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Leones) and two Sureties to be Property Owners in the Western Area of Freetown.

The Commission wishes to reassure the general public of its continued resolve in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.

Signed………………………

Shollay Davies

Director, Public Education and Outreach Department

Share
About Othman Sheriff 350 Articles
Othman Sheriff is an experienced Sierra Leonean development professional, peacebuilding practitioner, professional journalist and human rights advocate with over two decades of engagement in community development, youth empowerment, education, humanitarian assistance and international development cooperation. Born and raised in Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, he has dedicated much of his professional career to improving the socioeconomic conditions of vulnerable and marginalised populations, particularly disadvantaged young people, women, children and underserved rural communities. As the Founder and Programme Director of Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Sheriff has played a leading role in mobilising international development assistance and coordinating community-driven interventions aimed at poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion and grassroots development. Over the years, he has facilitated the mobilisation and implementation of development projects worth billions of Leones, supported by international development partners, including European development institutions, humanitarian organisations and United Nations agencies. A committed advocate for free and inclusive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Sheriff spearheaded the establishment of the Youth Resource Academy (YRA) in 2018, through which he has championed access to practical, employment-oriented education for underprivileged youth, particularly young women, school dropouts, single mothers, widows, unemployed youth and individuals from economically disadvantaged households. So far, the Academy has provided vocational, technical and entrepreneurship training opportunities to more than 2,000 youth helping them acquire marketable skills, pursue self-employment and improve their economic independence. He also solicit funds to provide start up kits for the youth who graduated from the academy. In addition to his development and humanitarian work, Sheriff serves as the Editor-in-Chief and CEO of Critique Echo Newspaper, using journalism as a platform to promote accountability, responsible governance, social justice and public awareness of critical socioeconomic and human rights issues. He is a dedicate member of many international peacebuilding networks including the United Religions Initiative (URI), International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP), Intercultural Leaders Network of the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC)`s Youth Solidarity Fund, and the alumni Association of King Hamad Youth Empowerment Awards. Through his leadership, advocacy and international partnerships, Sheriff continues to champion a vision of Sierra Leone in which disadvantaged young people have equitable access to education and economic opportunities, women and girls live free from violence and discrimination, human rights are respected, and communities are empowered to pursue peaceful, inclusive and sustainable development.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.