The Anti-Corruption Commission Sierra Leone (ACC-SL), on the 28th and 29th May 2024, served as the host for a two-day Joint Experience Sharing Exchange meeting at its Conference Room, Integrity House, Tower Hill, Freetown, involving; the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission ( LACC) and the National Human Rights Commissions of Sierra Leone and Liberia, facilitated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia.
The engagements, which were anchored on the theme; “Scooping Best Practices for Strengthened Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Anti-Corruption in Liberia and Sierra Leone” attracted the Leadership and Senior Management Officials of the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.
In his statement, the Commissioner of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. expressed appreciation for having the teams, noting the importance of continued collaboration. He spoke on the importance of Independence and the existence of an atmosphere for institutions fighting graft to do their work. He, however, delineated between normative and practical independence, highlighting the complexities, but stark differences between the two.
He underscored the relevance of independence beyond what the law provides. “In realistic terms, l believe in autonomy which is the ability to do your work without any interference or influence. That is what we enjoy in Sierra Leone and informs the huge progress we have made over the past years under my leadership”, he averred.
Commissioner Kaifala disclosed the intricate connection and consideration of Human Rights in its work, adding that the Commission has a conducive holding Center to detain its suspects before transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department. He furthered that the maximum number of days, as provided for by law for economic crimes they deal with, is 10 days, and all corruption offences are Felonious offences but are all bailable. He further noted that the Commission has provision for Doctors to readily attend to suspects in detention, who will need medical attention.
Executive Chairperson of the LACC, Counsellor Alexandra K. Zoe, in her submission, spoke about her institution’s legal posture and general operations. She stated that upon her recent appointment to head the country’s lead anti-graft agency, she is poised to have systems and structures in place to revolutionize their cause of fighting corruption. This, she stressed, is what informs their visit to Sierra Leone.
She spoke about their assets declaration regime that targets Public Officers across the board, including entry declaration within 30 days from appointment, promotion and every three years. “In keeping with the President of Liberia’s 100 days plan for all public officers to sign the Integrity Pledge, we are rolling it out now for public officers to sign”, noting that they have whistle-blower and witness protection mechanisms, and a reward scheme for informers, when their report lead to recoveries, and are entitled to 3% of any recovered proceeds.
The LACC Boss also spoke about some of the difficulties they encounter with prosecution, as their cases are snail-paced since they fall in the queue with other civil and criminal cases charged to the courts. She also stated that they have an existing National Anti-Corruption Strategy, admitting that there is a clear need for its review. Madam Zoe further acknowledged the need for more experience sharing, and emphasised the dire need for support, as she desires to get stronger systems in place.
The Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia, Christian Mukosa, in his presentation, spoke about the two components underpinning the engagements, stating that there is but a clear link between Human Rights and Corruption, as corruption leads to poverty, describing it as the biggest human rights violation.
He also said that corruption leads to the diversion of resources into one’s pocket. Resources that are meant to build schools and provide quality education, or build hospitals, which will ensure women’s rights to healthcare and tackle maternal mortality, noting the clear link between corruption and human rights. He further revealed that during their visit to the Residual Special Court in Sierra Leone, they realized that corruption is listed as one of the major causes of the country’s decade-long civil war.
He highlighted that the current Government in Liberia has demonstrated the desire and intent to establish two courts, one to focus on war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the other, the Anti-Corruption Court. He also stated that Liberia and Sierra Leone share a lot of similarities in history and context, and that as well, informs the engagements. He also disclosed a plan to organize a Dialogue in Monrovia in September 2024 to further deepen the conversations on complementarity issues and the way forward relating to the two organizations in the two sister countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Various statements were made by the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Sierra Leone, Patricia Naasu Ndanema, Vice Chairperson, Victor I. Lansana Esq, and Counsellor T. Dempster Brown, Chairperson of the Independent National Commission of Human Rights in Liberia.
Earlier on the first day-28th May 2024, the ACC’s Coordinator of Operations, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq. as Chair of the meeting, took the team from LACC through the work of the Commission, alongside the Directors of the various Departments, zooming in on the specific roles and operations of their respective Departments.
The said engagement was exclusively with the top officials of the Anti-Corruption Sierra Leone, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the OHCHR Representative, Christian Mukosa.
