Warned of AI Risks, President Bio Receives ACC Report
President Julius Maada Bio has officially received the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) 2025 Annual Report during a formal presentation at State House on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. While commending the agency's recent accomplishments, President Bio urged leadership to remain vigilant against evolving threats, specifically highlighting the potential for advanced technology and artificial intelligence to be exploited in corruption schemes.
The report was presented in fulfillment of the ACC’s statutory mandate by ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, Deputy Commissioner Augustine Foday Ngobie, and senior leadership. Outlining the Commission's key performance metrics from 2025, Deputy Commissioner Ngobie detailed comprehensive operational strides across investigations, intelligence, prosecutions, audits, and corruption prevention programs.
Among the primary milestones highlighted in the report were:
High Prosecution Success Rate: The ACC achieved a 90 percent conviction rate in corruption cases throughout 2025.
Global Perceptions Progress: Sierra Leone advanced five places on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, moving from 114th in 2024 to 109th in 2025.
Legal & Institutional Safeguards: The operationalisation of the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations 2025—developed alongside the Attorney-General’s Office and Parliament—established structured mechanisms to shield informants from retaliation.
Community Engagement & Social Safety: The ACC expanded public education and social media outreach, reinforced civil society partnerships, and successfully managed the grievance redress component of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment Scheme.
Responding to the presentation, President Bio praised the ACC's staff and leadership for their vital contributions to national development, while reiterating that corruption remains "an enemy of the state and a natural risk to the development of a nation." He emphasized that safeguarding public funds and ensuring revenue is used effectively for its intended purpose is essential to national stability.
Looking toward future enforcement challenges, President Bio issued a direct warning regarding the rapid rise of advanced technologies. He cautioned that bad actors could attempt to leverage artificial intelligence to undermine public institutions and facilitate sophisticated corrupt practices, instructing the Commission to adapt its strategies and maintain relentless vigilance in protecting the state.
Comments