Johnny Koussa
Johnny Koussa, the owner of Accord Logistics and CEO of Elephant Betting Company, is facing serious allegations regarding his management of a joint venture with the Sierra Leone government. This partnership, established in December 2021, was meant to create a gaming and betting industry in the country through collaboration between Accord Logistics and the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company. However, nearly four years into the agreement, numerous violations of the contract have come to light.
Reports indicate that Koussa has manipulated the original five-year contract, extending it to twelve years, without proper authorization. According to the terms of the agreement, a review was scheduled for February 2024; however, Koussa allegedly obstructed this process, preventing any evaluation of the joint venture’s performance.
Further complicating matters, Koussa has reportedly taken unilateral control of the joint venture, treating it as a separate enterprise. He appointed former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Priscilla Schwartz, as the Board Chair, forming a Board without the necessary consultations with the Sierra Leone State Lottery, which is supposed to be involved in decision-making processes.
This lack of transparency raises significant concerns about governance and accountability within the venture.
Additionally, it has been revealed that the salaries of the Sierra Leone State Lottery’s Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director have not been paid, contravening the stipulations of the contract approved by Parliament in 2021. Allegations also suggest 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 the required consent.
The situation has escalated, with claims that Koussa has exploited his relationship with the Vice President of Sierra Leone to operate with impunity. Attempts by the Gleaner Newspaper to reach Koussa for comments regarding these serious allegations were met with refusal. As the situation unfolds, the implications of these accusations could have far-reaching effects on the integrity of the joint venture and the regulatory landscape of the gaming industry in Sierra Leone.
