Councillors Reject Bribery Claims, Back Mayor Aki-Sawyer

Councillors Reject Bribery Claims, Back Mayor Aki-Sawyer

All twenty-two councillors of the Freetown City Council (FCC) have issued a formal declaration of support for Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Deputy Mayor Kweku Lisk, following a wave of bribery allegations that have rocked the local government.

The controversy began with reports alleging that four specific councillors had accepted payments of 100,000 New Leones each (approximately $4,300 USD) as part of a coordinated plot to impeach the Mayor.\n\n  \n\nIn a joint statement released over the weekend, the council body presented a unified front, categorically denying the existence of such a scheme. 

The councillors described the allegations as "baseless" and "misleading," asserting that the claims were manufactured to sow discord within the city's leadership.

"These rumors are clearly intended to create division and distraction from the progress being made in Freetown," the statement read.

The councillors emphasized that their focus remains on the "Transform Freetown" agenda rather than internal political maneuvering. This public display of solidarity aims to stabilize the FCC’s reputation amid an increasingly tense political climate.

Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who was re-elected for a second term in 2023, has frequently faced administrative and political hurdles. However, this unanimous backing from her fellow councillors suggests a solidified leadership structure at the City Hall as they move forward with urban development projects.

The council has urged the public to disregard the "distractive" reports and remain focused on the developmental goals of the municipality.