Freetown, 22 May 2025 — The High Court of Sierra Leone has convicted Issa Kamara, Chief Examiner of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on five counts related to corruption and academic malpractice. The verdict was handed down by Justice Cosmotina Jarrett in Freetown.
Kamara, who resides at No. 82 Hanga Road, Jui, was found guilty after pleading guilty to Abuse of Office, Abuse of Position, Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, Influencing a Public Officer, and Academic Malpractice, all contrary to various sections of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008, as amended in 2019.
Justice Jarrett sentenced Kamara to pay fines totaling Le 170,000 — Le 30,000 for each of the first four counts, and Le 50,000 for academic malpractice. In default of payment, he will serve a five-year jail term.
The Court also banned Kamara for five years from teaching, serving as a Chief Examiner for WAEC, or engaging in any profession that could allow him to commit academic malpractice.
Kamara’s conviction stemmed from his misconduct during the May/June 2024 WASSCE. He was found to have collected an exam script belonging to his nephew, Foday Fasuluku Mansaray, and passed it to Ibrahim Kamara — another individual — who answered some of the questions before the script was secretly returned and mixed with others for official grading.
The trial of Ibrahim Kamara is ongoing at the High Court.
In a statement following the ruling, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) emphasized its determination to root out corruption in education and other sectors.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to fighting examination malpractice and ensuring integrity in public service,” the Commission stated.
