2. Director of NACS, Mariama Navo and the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Gilbert Bosco N ’ habay Page 2 NACS Secretariat and Parliament ’ s Integrity Management Committee after the engagement The National Anti - Corruption Strategy (NACS) Secretariat of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) has engaged the Integrity Management Committee (IMC) of the Parliament of Sierra Leone as part of a monitoring exercise to assess the extent to which they have adopted the recommendations under the NACS framework. The engagement, held on September 17, 2025, at the conference room of Parliament, forms part of continuous efforts to strengthen systems, improve transparency and build resilience against corruption risks. Discussing the rationale for the engagement, the Director of NACS Secretariat,Mariama Navo, commended Parliament for integrating the strategy into its operations with the national anti - corruption framework. She emphasized that the fight against corruption largely depends on the commitment of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to integrity, noting that Parliament plays a crucial role in shaping reforms. “ With the aid of this monitoring exercise, we can assess progress, identify systems gaps, and support institutions to fully implement recommendations from the Strategy, ” she stated. According to the Deputy Director of the Secretariat, Wilfred Bangura, the current 5 th generation NACS (2024 - 2028), represents Sierra Leone ’ s roadmap to mitigate corruption across all sectors of society, including MDAs. The Deputy Director of Prevention Department ACC, Samuel M. Marrah, guided the Committee members through the implementation assessment tool for Parliament which highlights systems gaps and proposes strategy to address them. He said that some of the issues raised in the assessment tool relate to auditing, management and procurement. In his remarks, the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Gilbert B. N ’ habay, welcomed the team from the Secretariat and reaffirmed Parliament ’ s commitment to strengthening systems that promote accountability and ethical governance. He highlighted the role of the IMC in ensuring that NACS recommendations are effectively implemented, and stressed that Parliament remains determined to set a strong example in governance. The session also provided an opportunity for the IMC members to respond to the assessment tool and share challenges they face in implementing the recommendations. By: Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer, ACC Presentation in progress

3. Page 3 To ensure that Sierra Leonean communities are aware of the devastating effects of corruption, the Outreach Unit of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Kono Regional Office held a fruitful sensitization meeting with residents and stakeholders of the Condama Community in Nimiyama Chiefdom Kono District, on 12 September 2025. The meeting discussed the various forms of corruption that continue to deprive communities of the benefits of a corrupt - free society. The meeting, which took place at the Condoma local court building provided the opportunity for the ACC to inform the participants about the operations of the Commission, its achievements under the leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, and the various means of reporting suspected acts of corruption in their communities to the Commission without any fear of harassment, intimidation, and backlash. The attendees, which included community stakeholders including medical staff and school authorities, youth, pupils, Local Court staff, women ’ s representatives, and Bike Riders, were full of appreciation for the engagement which they described as educative and empowering. Earlier, in his welcome statement, the Principal of the Basilseh Secondary School, Dominic T. Nicol praised the Commission for such an interactive engagement. He said they were pleased to have the ACC in their midst, noting that such engagements would help them identify and report corruption issues in their community to the Commission. Mr. Nicol on behalf of his people pledged their fullest support and cooperation with the ACC in the fight against corruption. Discussing the rationale for the engagement, the ACC Senior Public Education Officer in Kono, Sam P. Gogra, said the Commission is mandated to raise consciousness about the negative effects of corruption, and to entreat the community to support the national fight against corruption by rejecting, resisting and reporting all forms of corrupt practices to the Commission. The Officer reminded the participants about the huge cash and other physical assets that the ACC has recovered from corrupt individuals under its present leadership, and therefore warned his audience against embezzlement and misappropriation of community resources and revenues generated, for example, from mining and other economic activities in their locality. He therefore urged them to report every instance of the scourge to the Commission for prompt actions. ACC Public Education Officer, Patricia J. Sannoh in her presentation reminded the audience about some of corruption offences that fall under the Anti - Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019. These, she disclosed, included but not limited to embezzlement and misap- propriation of project and community funds and other resources, conspiracy, soliciting and accepting an ad- vantage by contractors and public officers, bribery, Abuse of Office and Position, etc. She stated that each of the offences stated above can attract a minimum fine of Fifty Thousand Leones (Le50,000), or a minimum five - year prison term, or both fine and jail term upon conviction by the court of law. She therefore entreated the audience to always contact the ACC Kono Regional Office or call the toll - free hotlines 077 - 985985/986986 to report suspected corruption offences. The ACC team also held successful on - the - spot engagements with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) at the Mambudu Police Checkpoint and with health workers at the Condama, Njagbwema and Yengema Community Health Centers (CHCs) to raise awareness and caution them about corrupt practices. B y: Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, ACC Kono, Sam P. Gogra addressing participants Public Education Officer Kono, Patricia J. Sannoh admonishing the participants

1. Contd. Page 4 11 Mobile No: 8515 on all Networks EDITORIAL TEA M EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Aiah P. M. Sourie EDITORS Sylvanus Blake Alex A. Bah LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Philippa M Davies EDITORIAL ADVISERS Augustine Foday Ngobie Patrick Sandi Abubakarr Turay 8th — 12th September 2025 ISSUE 3, VOLUME 14 Deputy Commissioner ACC, Augustine Foday Ngbobie on the panel making a statement The Deputy Commissioner of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC), Augustine Foday Ngbobie, has reassured Development Partners and the leadership of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) that the ACC would continue to maintain “ a zero - tolerance posture for all forms of corruption ” and scrupulously monitor the utilization of public and donor funds and resources meant for the development efforts of Sierra Leone. He made these comments on Tuesday, 16 th September 2025, at the Brookfields Hotel Conference Centre, in Freetown, while serving as one of the speakers at the official opening session of a two - day training workshop ogranised by UNICEF and other Partners in the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) process, including UNFPA, UNDP and UN Women. The training brought together representatives from several Implementing Partners to build their capacities and knowledge for a proper understanding and adequate application of the joint UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women) glob- al standard principles contained in the HACT process. The training sought to keep all Implementing Partners abreast and compliant with the HACT process – a tool that stipulates the procedures, processes, requirements, and best practices that all Implementing Partners must adhere to in applying, accessing, utilizing, and accounting for funds. The Deputy ACC Czar expressed appreciation to the development partners for their continued contributions to the development aspirations of Sierra Leone, pointing out that the risks posed by corruption could undermine these good intentions and efforts. “ It is a pleasure to witness this training event on the roll - out of the HACT process. To you UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women, and other development partners concerned, this is another giant step in manifesting your commitment to Sierra Leone ’ s development in a transparent and accountable way. As a Commission, we continue to acknowledge these efforts and pledge our uncompromising posture to address all forms of corruption and uphold accountability at all times and across all levels, Mr. Ngobie stated . The ACC Deputy Commissioner also encouraged the participants to pay keen attention to the teachings on the HACT processes and procedures . “ There will be no excuses for any procedural breaches. You all shall be held accountable at the slightest instance of any suspected mismanagement of these and any other resources meant for the development of Sierra Leoneans. We shall investigate and hold to account anyone involved in the misuse of public and donor funds according to our laws, ’’ he warned. Mr. Ngobie called on the public to be patriotic and prompt in reporting any suspected corruption to the ACC through it toll - free hot Iines; 8515, 077 - 985985, and 077986985, adding that no one would be targeted or victimized for reporting suspected corruption to the ACC, assuring them of sufficient witness and whistle blower protection regimes. The Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) is a framework used by UN agencies to manage cash transfers to implementing partner development projects, a significant tool to development project financing. It simplifies procedures and streamlines cash transfer processes, reducing transaction costs and promoting sustainable development. By: Sylvanus Blake, Deputy Director, PEOD ACC. Audience at the workshop engagement

4. Page 4 Corruption has remained one of Sierra Leone ’ s greatest obstacles to her development. This vicious menace continues to steal massively from public coffers, weaken state institutions, and deny citizens access to some of the most basic but critical services that others have long taken for granted. As a country that had been plunged into a decade - long civil unrest, widely attributed to endemic corruption, the plague has seriously afflicted the nation. Consequently, the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) was established. Since then, the ACC has been leading the charge, and its efforts to combat this scourge, especially in the last seven years, have been vigorous. Yet, prosecuting corruption cases has always been challenging, regardless of the conscientious efforts to revolutionize enforcement. Trials can drag on for years, evidence in criminal matters is often complex, and offenders, who are mostly powerful, have resources to frustrate the cry for justice. In its efforts to ensure the fight is not stalled or deterred by these challenges, the ACC, under the competent leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq aka ‘’ The Peoples ’ Commissioner ’’ , has fully embraced, absorbed, and integrated two innovative tools; plea bargaining and the non - conviction - based (NCB) asset recovery . Both aimed at recouping stolen funds or assets efficiently and hold corrupt actors accountable, as traditional criminal trials can be slow, uncertain, or impossible. Plea bargaining is a legal arrangement where a defendant agrees to plead his guilt and cooperate with the prosecution/investigating body in return for a drop of, or lesser or reduced charge. In practical terms, it is a way to deliver justice more efficiently and is negotiated between the prosecutor and the defendant. These agreements require court approval, ensuring that justice remains accountable and transparent. It is highly efficient as it reduces the time and cost of lengthy trials that could otherwise be delayed or laborious. It also allows quicker return of stolen funds, especially in cases with multiple counts, where the most substantial counts are maintained and others dropped to aid quicker recoveries. Plea bargaining guarantees conviction rather than risking acquittal while encouraging cooperation, as defendants may provide evidence or expose accomplices. This effective method is sometimes considered a “ soft option, ” suggesting it lets offenders escape punishment, could weaken deterrence, and can be unfair or susceptible to abuse. The ACC has ensured these concerns are mitigated through judicial oversight and transparency, ensuring settlements are in public interest. The reported case of Tafo Balogun v Federal Republic of Nigeria FHC (2005) in which a plea bargain was entered into, evidenced the imposition of huge fines as well as the forfeiture of properties worth millions of dollars, manifested a case of partial conviction and substantial restitution without a protracted trial, a result that was considered proportionate. Similarly, in the United States, over 90% of federal white - collar cases are resolved via plea agreements, while South African courts approve plea agreements in corruption and fraud cases under the Criminal Procedure Act of South Africa, Act No 51 of 1997. In the recent Sierra Leonean case of The State v Abdul Salim Mansaray and Two Others SLHC 2004 (unreported) , a plea bargain arrangement was entered into, and through the use of non - conviction - based recovery, Le 34 billion old Leones was successfully recovered and returned to the state. Abdul Salim was convicted and fined Le 15 0 thousand leones, having been found guilty on three counts of corruption, and part of the bargain required his support in the furtherance of the in- vestigations. The State v Mohamed Koroma SLHC 2025 (unreported ) also saw this method used, with conviction secured. The Non - Conviction Recovery Model on the other hand is similar but highly effective, allowing the State to reclaim stolen assets even if the offender is not criminally convicted. Unlike criminal trials, which require proof “ beyond a reasona- By: Alex A. Bah, Ag. Public Relations Officer, ACC ble doubt. ” It focuses on the proceeds of the crime, not the person. The ACC has used NCB to recover a large part of its over Le 76 million in the last seven years from corruption, without necessarily pursuing the prosecutorial route in misappropriation matters. Just as with plea bargaining, it is used when the evidence is overwhelming, ensuring the defendant pays in full the amount said to have been embezzled, with at least a ten percent interest, and that public officer is banned from holding public office for a minimum of three years. Section 89(a) of the Anti - Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019, empowers the ACC to negotiate settlements that will require restitution or fines, with mandatory court approval. This method draws inspiration and alignment from Articles 31, 53, and 54 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), supporting civil recovery of proceeds of corruption without recourse to a criminal con- viction. It ensures the restoration of public assets and the return of stolen wealth faster than prolonged trials. It also serves to deter corruption by sending a strong signal that corruption will never pay. In United Kingdom case of Gale & Others v Serious Organised Crime Agency SC (2011) , civil recovery without a criminal conviction was allowed. The United States also widely uses civil forfeiture to recover assets linked to corruption and organized crime, while Kenyan courts uphold similar measures under their Anti - Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003 (Act No. 3 of 2003). In several matters, such as those involving Emmanuel Smart and Ibrahim Bangura from the Sierra Leone Roads Authority and Accountant General ’ s Department, NCB was used to recover monies amounting to Le 8.6 million in less than two months from the time the matter came to the ACC ’ s attention. While criticisms have been advanced regarding the balance between pragmatism and fairness, the ACC has utilized these methods effectively, with NCB proving a game - changer in the fight against corruption. These are pragmatic tools, not shortcuts around justice, allowing the ACC to recover stolen assets, deter corruption, and hold offenders accountable even when traditional trials are slow or impractical. Implemented transparently and fairly, these mechanisms strengthen public confidence, align with international standards such as UNCAC, and provide a template for Africa and beyond. Unsurprisingly, Cameroon, Liberia, and many other regional counterparts have visited Sierra Leone in recent years to study the successful implementation of this potent strategy. While corruption may be clever, the ACC has proven to be smarter, recovering stolen wealth, safeguarding justice, and demonstrating that in the fight against graft, efficiency, expediency, and integrity can go hand in hand.