Johnny Koussa, a prominent figure in Sierra Leone’s business landscape and CEO of Elephant Betting Company, is facing serious allegations of exploiting his political connections to profit from the country’s gaming and betting industry. Since December 2021, when Parliament established a joint venture between Accord Logistics, a company owned by Koussa, and Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Limited,
a state-owned entity, concerns have arisen regarding the integrity and governance of this partnership.
Reports indicate that Koussa has manipulated the original five-year contract, extending it to a staggering twelve years, without the necessary authorization. This extension raises questions about oversight and accountability, especially since a performance review was scheduled for February 2024, which Koussa allegedly obstructed, preventing any assessment of the joint venture’s efficacy.
Furthermore, Koussa has reportedly taken unilateral control of the venture, treating it as his personal enterprise. He appointed Priscilla Schwartz, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, as the Board Chair, forming a board without the required consultations with the Sierra Leone State Lottery. This lack of transparency and collaboration has raised significant concerns regarding governance within the joint venture.
In addition to these governance issues, it has come to light that the salaries of the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of the Sierra Leone State Lottery have not been paid, violating the contract approved by Parliament in 2021.
Allegations also surfaced that Koussa has resorted to intimidation tactics, employing thugs to threaten individuals and attempting to lease two floors of the Sierra Leone State Lottery Building without proper consent.
The situation has escalated further, with claims that Koussa has leveraged his relationship with the Vice President of Sierra Leone to operate with impunity. These developments cast a shadow over the integrity of the joint venture, and raise concerns about the regulatory framework governing the gaming industry in the country.
Attempts by the Gleaner Newspaper to reach Koussa for comments regarding these serious allegations were met with refusal. As the situation continues to unfold, the implications of these accusations could have far-reaching consequences for Sierra Leone’s gaming sector and the trust in its governance structures.
