Sierra Leone Officials Charged in World Bank-Funded Corruption Case

Sierra Leone Officials Charged in World Bank-Funded Corruption Case

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formally charged three high-ranking officials in Sierra Leone's electricity sector with corruption related to projects funded by the World Bank.

The indicted individuals are Emmanuel Mannah, former Director General of the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC); Isatu Mariama Bah, Procurement Officer at SLEWRC; and Richard Anthony Success Lahai Goba, a Procurement Officer with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).

Mr. Mannah faces six counts, including the misuse of office for personal gain, non-disclosure of interest in a company, and conspiracy to commit a corruption offense. Ms. Bah and Mr. Lahai Goba are jointly charged with four counts, including failure to adhere to established procurement procedures and conspiracy.

ACC investigations revealed that in 2024, two World Bank-sponsored projects managed by the PIU were improperly awarded, violating procurement laws. The contracts—for a review of the SLEWRC Act of 2011 and a nationwide electricity sensitization campaign—exceeded the financial threshold permitted for the Request for Quotation (RFQ) method under the 2016 Procurement Regulations.

Furthermore, Mr. Mannah allegedly leveraged his official position and confidential information to ensure FAME Consultancy Services, a company in which he held an interest, was positioned to secure one of the projects.

The ACC emphasized that these indictments underscore its unwavering commitment to rigorously investigate and prosecute corruption across public institutions, particularly concerning the mismanagement of donor and public funds. The matter has now been submitted to the courts to ensure due process and accountability.