Aviation Official Gets 45 Years for Corruption and Visa Fraud

Aviation Official Gets 45 Years for Corruption and Visa Fraud

A Sierra Leonean court has handed down a significant sentence for corruption, with Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu sentencing Julian Clarke, the Human Resources Manager of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), to 45 years in prison or a substantial fine of NLe 450,000. Clarke was convicted on nine counts of corruption.

In a related judgment, Sallieu Kargbo, the SLCAA's Senior Finance Officer, received a 10-year sentence or a fine of NLe 100,000 for his role in conspiracy and deception.

The convictions stemmed from an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigation that uncovered a scheme orchestrated by Clarke and Kargbo. The two were found to have issued fraudulent staff appointment letters and related documents to improperly facilitate Turkish visas for individuals who were not legitimate SLCAA employees.

Clarke, in particular, prepared and signed appointment letters and official requests to both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Turkish embassy for seven non-staff members, with some fabricated documents, including salary payslips, dating back several years.

ACC prosecutor Joel Tijan Deen Tarawally emphasized that the crimes constituted a severe betrayal of public trust. During sentencing, Justice Allieu stressed the necessity of establishing a precedent to deter future corruption and safeguard the nation’s integrity and development. The judge dismissed a plea for leniency for Clarke, stating the serious nature of the criminal offense.