By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Thomas Daddy Brima, is at the center of a major corruption investigation following allegations of misappropriating over $720,000 earmarked for football development. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone made the announcement during a Press Conference held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Commission’s Integrity House on Tower Hill in Freetown.
ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., revealed that Thomas Daddy Brima is being investigated alongside the SLFA’s Acting Secretary-General, Benson Bawoh and Chief Finance Officer, Ibrahim Bah. The trio is suspected of misusing funds received from FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Government of Sierra Leone between 2021 and 2025.
According to the ACC, the six-month investigation uncovered serious financial irregularities, including unauthorized withdrawals, a lack of supporting documentation for transactions and breaches of procurement regulations. The total amount involved is $720,144 and 498,200 new Leones.
Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. pointed to a $527,000 contract awarded to Lexons Company for renovations at the Technical Centre in Kingtom as a major red flag. The contract, he said, was issued without following due procurement process. Additionally, a $50,000 contract awarded to Alcon Construction and Engineering Services reportedly lacked justification.
The situation deepened when Bun Tejan Doherty and Co., listed as the auditors for Lexons Company, disclaimed any involvement in preparing the financial statements submitted by Lexons. The firm alleged that its stamp and signatures were forged. Furthermore, the owner of Lexons confessed to forging NASSIT receipts during the bid process, yet the SLFA failed to verify the authenticity of any submitted documents.
The ACC also uncovered suspected bid-rigging in the procurement of motorcycles, where evaluation reports favored the second-lowest bidder without valid justification.
A particularly alarming finding was the transfer of $17,400 in 2021 to Castlenton Roads Commodities, a company reportedly owned by the SLFA President. To date, neither the procurement nor the finance officers have explained the purpose of this transaction or provided supporting documentation.
Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. stated that between 2021 and 2025, several payments were made directly to President Thomas Daddy Brima under the guise of refunds for pre-financed SLFA activities. However, no official documentation or approvals were submitted to validate these payments. Financial records show that Thomas Daddy Brima’s personal bank account at Commerce and Mortgage Bank received significant funds only from SLFA accounts, with no personal deposits recorded.
In his defense, Thomas Daddy Brima has argued that his actions were justified under Section 38 of the SLFA Statute, which he interpreted as granting him the authority to act unilaterally. However, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala refuted that claim, stressing that specific financial regulations must be followed regardless of general statutory provisions.
The Commissioner further underscored the importance of football in Sierra Leone, noting that the Government has consistently invested in the sport, often contributing up to $1 million per match to support national football initiatives.
Although the three officials were arrested on Thursday, they were released on Friday after posting bail, which was set at half a million dollars. Francis Ben Kaifala confirmed that formal charges will be filed if sufficient evidence is established during the ongoing investigation.
Despite the mounting allegations, Thomas Daddy Brima, who continues to deny any wrongdoing, remains adamant about seeking re-election. He participated in the SLFA’s Ordinary Congress on Saturday, 5th April, 2025, which was slated for a new Executive Board to be elected but ended in chaos.
So far, the ACC’s Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the media to continue supporting the ACC’s work. He assured journalists that the Commission remains open to sharing credible information with the public.
The unfolding investigation has cast a cloud over Sierra Leone’s football leadership and raised fresh concerns over accountability and transparency in managing public and donor funds. As the probe progresses, stakeholders in the country’s beloved sport await further developments that could reshape the future of football governance in Sierra Leone.
