Two Customs Officers Sent to 3 Years Imprisonment for Collecting Le2 5 million Bribe at Water Quay

The High Court in Freetown has sentenced two customs officers to three years’ imprisonment each for soliciting and accepting a bribe of Le 2.5 million (old leones) to facilitate the clearing of a shipping container at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as a High Court Judge, found Akmed Karim and Mary Banya guilty on two counts of corruption offences under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008. The convictions followed a trial in which the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) called ten witnesses to support its case.

According to the prosecution, on 28 February 2019, the two officers demanded Le 2,500,000 from Sigismond Tommy Mei to fast-track the release of a 40-foot container belonging to Juan Ruiz, an American businessman operating in the export of sand-based minerals. The money was allegedly solicited without lawful consideration.