Commissioner Francis Ben Kelfala of the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC), has said that the Commission is investigating the diversion of over forty five billion (Le45Bn) old Leones into a different bank’s account which is meant for the National Revenue Authority (NRA). He said the said depositor has ran away before the matter was brought to the Commission.
Updating the people of Sierra Leone on the corruption cases currently being investigated by the Commission, Mr. Kelfala through a local radio yesterday said few NRA workers had been arrested and are helping them with the ongoing investigation. He accused the said accused depositor of using a loophole system of cheque to cash in and divert the said cheque in connivance with some officials of NRA.
He said few NRA officials whom the Commission believes facilitated the process have been arrested.
ACC boss said one bank official who works at Eco Bank was believed to have connived with some staff of the National Revenue Authority to divert some huge amounts of money.
Commissioner Kelfala said the amended ACC Act has given them powers to charge anybody caught in corrupt activities even if they might have fled away.
He disclosed that they are also investigating seven people that are working in the Ministry of Finance’s Accountant General Department and a principal person from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) whom, ACC said, is said to be the central individual to defraud the government with much needed money.
He said all those under investigation are in custody at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Freetown. He said the evidence is so strong that they would not delay to charge and prosecute the matter in court.
Regarding the investigation of the former Chief Immigration Officer, Andrew Jaia Kaikai, ACC boss said the three vehicles possessed by him which worth more than his earnings are under investigation.
Kelfala said that they are still being parked at the Commission’s office, adding that they hope to complete the findings soon on their purchase.