This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
August 27, 2019, marked a significant day in Sierra Leone's fight against corruption as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) began probing State Chief of Protocol Fatmata Edna Kargbo over unexplained wealth and possible abuse of office.
The investigation follows a video of Ms Kargbo giving a testimony about her wealth at the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Nigeria, which sparked outrage from citizens.
Ms Kargbo, who was appointed to office in May 2018 by President Julius Maada Bio, is seen in the video making a PowerPoint presentation to the congregation of charismatic preacher TB Joshua about how God had blessed her.
She claimed to have put up a storeyed building within a short period of her appointment, which has raised concerns among citizens and the ACC.
ACC spokesman Success Kamara stated, “Such a testimony, we think, is a cause for concern.”
The anti-graft commission questioned Ms Kargbo on August 22, 2019, and is particularly interested in how she managed to put up the building within a short time.
Sierra Leone’s anti-graft law requires public officials to declare their assets three months into office and three months after leaving office.
The ACC is using this law to check against unexplained wealth and is looking at Ms Kargbo’s previous asset declarations to find out whether she could have abused her office or was involved in any activity during her tenure that presented a conflict of interest.
