Auditor Bangura Attacked, Threatened Over Fraud Probe

By Alfred Koroma

Mohamed Bangura, an internal auditor and fraud investigator for an international non-governmental organisation, is living under siege after becoming the target of violent intimidation linked to a multi-thousand-dollar fraud investigation.
As part of his duties as an internal auditor and fraud investigator, Bangura was entrusted with leading a high-stakes investigation into a financial matter involving thousands of dollars within his office.
The troubles began on October 10, 2024, when Bangura’s vehicle was broken into shortly after he returned from holiday. Thieves made away with personal belongings and critical official materials, including his laptop, passport, and university degree.
The situation took a darker turn on May 22, 2025, when Bangura was physically attacked by a group of unknown assailants. His computer and other valuables were stolen, and he was threatened with death should he implicate any “innocent” person in his investigations.
“They told me they would kill me if I continued with my so-called investigations,” Bangura revealed in an interview with this medium.
Police investigators have since established a link between the two incidents, describing them as part of a coordinated attempt to derail Bangura’s work. His case, however, is not an isolated one. Sierra Leone has witnessed a disturbing pattern of attacks and reprisals against auditors and investigators.
Notably, Auditor General Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy, Tamba Momoh, were controversially removed from office after probing sensitive accounts within the Presidency itself.
Against this backdrop, Bangura’s situation underscores the increasing risks faced by accountability officials in Sierra Leone. With his stolen items unlikely to be recovered and his life under constant threat, colleagues are urging him to flee the country before it is too late.
As police continue their probe, the case of Mohamed Bangura stands as yet another reminder of the dangerous intersection between corruption, power, and personal security in the fight for transparency