The Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) issued a press release on Thursday 6^th March, 2008 stating that the Commission has arrested 12 officials of the Customs and Excise Department of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and one police officer for various offences under the Anti-Corruption Act 2000 (as amended). The 13 officials are currently in police custody assisting the Commission with its investigation.

This development came shortly after the Commission presented a draft amendment of the revised Anti-Corruption Act (2000) to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for Government’s consideration and subsequent enactment. The Draft includes provisions for the Commission to have a legal personality, revision of the role of the Advisory Board, the Commission to have prosecutorial powers, new offences such as illicit enrichment, abuse of office and misuse of office, adequate protection for whistleblowers and informers, compulsory declaration of assets by all public servants and adequate provision for international cooperation in the fight against corruption. According to the release, if the draft amendment is enacted it will signal government’s unflinching resolve to fight corruption and help put an end to the culture of impunity in Sierra Leone .

The amendment will ensure that the national legislation is in line with other international treaties which Sierra Leone has signed and ratified such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and Related Offences.

The Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is gradually awakening from its long slumber. Established by the Anti-Corruption Act of 2000, the ACC which has the primary responsibility of fighting corruption in every sector of development in Sierra Leone has suffered many accusations for doing less than is generally expected in the face of rampant corruption in every sphere of development in the country. However, recent developments in the Anti-Corruption Commission have revealed that the Commission is metamorphosing out of its old character into an active and fearsome body poised to clean up every nook and cranny of the Sierra Leonean society of all traits of corruption. Perhaps this dramatic change of the character of the Commission was engineered by the appointment of a new Commissioner in the person of Mr. Abdul Tejan-Cole, a man of a reputably strong character and wisdom.