ACC Uncovers Le 4 Billion Corruption Scandal atFreetown City Couoncil
By Benjamin S Conteh
Freetown, March 6, 2025. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered the misappropriation of four billion old Leones from the Freetown City Council (FCC) accounts, allegedly diverted into the bank account of the Freetown City Council Football Club (FCC FC).
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala disclosed that certain officials at the FCC orchestrated the financial scheme, siphoning council revenue away from its intended use. According to Kaifala, funds meant for the FCC, including revenue from billboard fees and other transactions, were funneled into the football club’s bank account instead of being deposited into the council’s main account.
The investigation revealed that the FCC FC account was originally overseen by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who withdrew her signature in 2022, leaving three individuals in control of financial operations. Commissioner Kaifala clarified that Mayor Aki-Sawyerr had no involvement in the fraudulent transactions and has been fully cooperative with the ACC’s probe.
“Our findings indicate that the Council’s revenue was under attack. Certain officials within the FCC took advantage of financial loopholes, redirecting payments into a separate account for personal gain. The scale of this corruption is alarming, and we are determined to bring all those responsible to justice,” Kaifala stated.
The ACC also uncovered evidence of collusion between FCC officials and bankers from the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and Mortgage Bank, who facilitated the illegal financial transfers. The Commission has vowed to hold all involved parties accountable as part of its broader efforts to combat corruption and restore integrity in public institutions.
This revelation marks yet another major corruption scandal within the FCC, raising concerns about the effectiveness of financial oversight within municipal governance. The ACC has assured the public that it will take all necessary legal actions to recover the stolen funds and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
