Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reminds public officers that “Gifts” beyond Le5 Million must be specifically declared together with the source and relationship with the donor.

In a press statement, the ACC said: “Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government are reminded about the provisions of Section 51(4) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 as amended in 2019, which requires all public institutions to develop and maintain a Gift Register, which is a record of Gifts valued at Five Thousand (New) Leones and above, that are received by staff of the respective institutions.

“According to the extant provision, where a gift or personal benefit exceeds Five Million (Old) Leones in value or where the total value received directly or indirectly from one source in any twelve month period exceeds Five Million (Old) Leones, the public officer shall-(a) make a report of that fact to the relevant public body within such time and in such form as may be prescribed by the Commission.

“Subsequently, a Public Officer who receives such a gift is required to file with his annual declaration of assets and liabilities a statement indicating the nature of the gift or benefit, its source and the circumstances under which it was given or accepted.

“Section 51 (5) of the Act states that a public officer who fails to comply with the requirements in subsection (4) commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine three times the value of the gift or benefit or Fifty Million (Old) Leones, whichever is greater or to imprisonment for a term not less than one year.

“The ACC wishes to further state that it will invoke the relevant provisions of the Act for any failure by a public officer who receives a gift that is valued at Five Thousand (New) Leones and above that is not declared to the respective institution and/or the Commission”.