By Mohamed Kamara
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Augustine FodayNgobie, has issued a stern warning to newly appoint Public Officers, urging them to refrain from engaging in any form of corrupt practices in the execution of their official duties, emphasizing the vital role of corruption-free public service in Sierra Leone’s development.
The Deputy Commissioner Ngobie made these remarks while delivering a presentation on the “Role of Anti-Corruption Structures and Systems in the Public Service” during an orientation session for newly appointed Heads of Ministers, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the Freetown Conference Center. Aberdeen. Addressing the gathering Mr.Ngobie stressed the imperative of combating corruption and disclosed that the ACC has fortified its Elite Scorpion Squad as part of its aggressive efforts to combat corruption effectively.
He provided an overview of the ACC’s role, emphasizing that it is a government agency leading the fight against corruption, with collective responsibility shared among all citizens to combat this societal menace.
Corruption, he defined, is an unethical and illegal! Behaviour that often involves bribery, and he underlined its detrimental impact on the public sector’s efficiency and productivity.
Mr.Ngobie elaborated on the ACC’s primary mission, which is to combat corruption, characterising it as a “menacing terror.” He noted that the ACCs establishment in 200 was in response to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, mandate by an Act of Parliament.
The Deputy Commissioner explained that the 2000 Act led to the formation of the Commission, with its primary focus being the eradication of the insidious corruption plague. Subsequently, the 2000 Act was replaced by the 2008 Act, with a 2019 amendment further strengthening it, which includes compelling public officers to declare their assets upon assuming and leaving office within three months. This provision serves as an accountability tool that monitors and regulates the income of public officers, preventing unjust enrichment. He elaborated on the ACC’s approach to fighting corruption which includes prevention, systems review, public education, assets declaration, and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS). Additionally he emphasized the importance of investigations and prosecutions, high listing the ACC’s intelligence officers, Elite Scorpion Squad, investigators, and experienced prosecutors as key assets in the battle against corruption.
