Inspector General, William Fayia Sellu
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP), under the leadership of Inspector General William Fayia Sellu, is embroiled in a significant financial scandal as auditors have uncovered a staggering discrepancy of NLe6,611,633.43 (Six million, six hundred and eleven thousand, six hundred and thirty-three New Leone), (6.6 billion old Leones) that remains unaccounted for.
This alarming finding was prominently featured in the annual Auditor General’s 2023 Report, which pointed to substantial inconsistencies between the SLP’s payroll and its official staff list.
Upon reviewing the payroll vouchers and the staff list for the fiscal year 2023, auditors discovered that 265 names could not be verified against the official staff list. These unidentified individuals collectively received a total salary of NLe6,611,633.43, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the SLP’s financial management practices.
Furthermore, the payroll vouchers failed to encompass all 461 employees listed on the nominal roll, violating Regulation 114 (1) of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2018. Additionally, it was revealed that seven employees who had left the force due to death, discharge, or retirement continued to receive salaries after their departure.
This oversight resulted in an additional payment of NLe130,475.18 (130 million old Leones) in FY2023. The implications of these findings suggest a potential breakdown in oversight and accountability within the SLP, prompting calls for further investigation and reform. When approached by the Gleaner Newspaper about the situation, the Sierra Leone Police declined to comment. More details next edition!
