Sierra Leone News: ACC Indicts Three Custom Officials

By George M.O Williams

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Thursday August 1, 2019, indicted Akmed Karim, Mary Banya, and Momodu Allieu Sow, all customs officers stationed at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, on two counts each of soliciting and accepting an advantage contrary to Section 28 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act №12 of 2008, the Commission said in a statement on Friday.

According to the particulars of the offence, Akmed Karim, and Mary Banya, between the 1st December 2018 and 28th February 2019, at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, solicited and accepted an advantage to withdraw Le 2,500,000.00 from Sigismond Tommy Mei to facilitate the clearing process of a container belonging to Juan Ruiz, a businessman.

Momodu Allieu Sow was accused of soliciting and accepting an advantage to withdraw Le 3,000,000.00 from Sigismond Tommy Mei to undervalue a boat belonging to Juan Ruiz, a businessman.

The three accused persons are expected to make their first appearance at the High Court in Freetown on August 12, 2019.