By Amin Kef (Ranger)
During a Press Conference at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) headquarters on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala announced a major success in the fight against corruption.
Referring to the recovery, Ben Kaifala stated, “This sea of money represents over NLe 34 million stolen by a single individual working quietly in a corner of a bank. The ACC has successfully recovered this amount, totaling approximately US$1.5 million.”
He identified the individual as Salim Mansaray, whom he described as a “criminal” who fled to Dubai but was later extradited back to Sierra Leone. According to Ben Kaifala, the ACC not only recovered the full amount stolen but also seized funds from Salim Mansaray’s personal accounts, amounting to over NLe 1 million. The Commissioner emphasized that Salim Mansaray has been left financially insolvent.
“He has been run bankrupt,” he declared. “In addition to recovering the stolen funds, he has been charged and he pleaded guilty to various corruption and money laundering offenses.”
Ben Kaifala reassured the public that the recovered funds would be returned to the people of Sierra Leone, reiterating the ACC’s commitment to holding corrupt individuals accountable.
“These criminals cannot hide. We will continue to pursue anyone who misappropriates money meant for the people of Sierra Leone. They will repay every penny and face the consequences of their actions. Enough is enough!”
The Commissioner’s remarks underscore the ACC’s determination to combat corruption and serve as a warning to those who might attempt to exploit public resources.
