Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission recovers $1.5M from ex-Ecobank staff

In a groundbreaking press conference held on November 26, 2024, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, a whopping amount of $1.5 million was recovered by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, Commissioner of the ACC, revealed that the quoted amount, equivalent to 34.8 bllion Leones (old), was siphoned from taxes paid by companies to the revenue collection authority of Sierra Leone, Nationa Revenue Authority (NRA).

These monies were withdrawn by the culprit named Abdul Salim Mansaray, a former Head of Retail Operations at Ecobank, Sierre Leone, after they had been diverted into private accounts.

Sierra Leone recovers $1.5 million from corrupt Banker.

The Banker, Salim Mansaray fled to Dubai, UAE, but was forced to return to Sierra Leone to account for his action. pic.twitter.com/pLwy59VrVy

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) December 1, 2024

Salim fled to Dubai but was apprehended following moves by the Commission to freeze his bank accounts.

Kaifala commended the joint effort by the Commission, Ecobank, and the National Revenue Authority (NRA) to implement stronger systems to detect and prevent financial fraudulent activities.

He therefore issued a stern warning to all financial institutions in the country that they would suffer the consequences should they fail to put in place strong systems to prevent fraud.