AYV News, January 7, 2026
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Sierra Leone has arrested and put in custody 3 officials of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) attached to the ASYCUDA Department.
The officials are arrested on allegations of Misappropriation of an estimated 300 billion old leones.
Reports say the Commission is actively investigating and prosecuting numerous officials from the NRA for various corruption offenses, including revenue diversion through the ASYCUDA platform.
The ACC took over a major investigation from the Sierra Leone Police regarding an alleged fraudulent scheme at the NRA involving the diversion of government revenue, a matter widely reported in June 2025.
The fraud allegedly involves collusion between certain NRA staff, commercial bank tellers, taxpayers, and clearing and forwarding agencies to divert taxes and duties, often by manipulating the ASYCUDA (Automated System for Customs Data) platform.
The ACC has advised all persons of interest, including those who may have left Sierra Leone, to report immediately to their headquarters, warning that delays may lead to immediate arrests and detention.
The NRA itself launched the initial investigation into the “unauthorised container clearance” scandal, acknowledging a serious breach of national revenue procedures.
The ACC has a history of investigating and securing convictions against NRA officials. Two customs officers, Akmed Karim and Mary Banya, were convicted on two counts each of soliciting and accepting an advantage (bribery) at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
In February 2020, three NRA officers (Mariama BallahConteh, Jeneba Sesay, and Patrick Sandi) were indicted for misappropriating over five billion Leones (Le 5bn) of public revenue from foreign travel taxes paid by a company.
In other cases, the ACC has entered into settlement agreements with NRA staff to recover misappropriated funds through agreed-upon repayment plans.
The ACC has reassured the public of its resolve to fight corruption within revenue-generating institutions, which are considered crucial to the country’s survival.
