The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has imposed financial penalties and a three-year ban from public office on two officials of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, Alpha Brima Timbo and Clifford Bola Thomas, following a Non-Prosecution Agreement under Section 7 (1) (b) of the Anti-Corruption (Amendment Act), 2019.
Timbo, a staff member of the Intelligence and Investigations Unit, and Thomas, an Intelligence Officer within the same department, were found guilty of misappropriating funds intended for the issuance of residence permits.
The ACC recovered Thirty Thousand Leones (Le 30,000) from the two officials, along with a 20% interest, amounting to an additional Six Thousand Leones (Le 6,000).
The investigation revealed that the duo failed to remit payments they had received for the issuance of residence permits to five individuals.
As part of the agreement with the ACC, both Timbo and Thomas have returned the misappropriated sum and paid the additional interest. Consequently, they have been barred from holding any public office in Sierra Leone for a minimum of three years, effective immediately.
The Immigration Department has been instructed to dismiss both individuals from their positions without delay.
The ACC emphasized its commitment to protecting public funds and ensuring accountability, assuring the public of continued efforts to enforce anti-corruption measures.
