By: Abdulai Saccoh, Senior Public Education Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has engaged officers of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department (SLID), Bo Regional Office, in a tailored anti-corruption sensitization session aimed at strengthening institutional integrity and safeguarding the Department's operations against corrupt practices. The engagement was held at the SLID Conference Room, Reservation, Bo City, on Thursday, 30th July 2026.
Addressing the officers, ACC Regional Manager–South, Mohamed Tomboyeke, underscored the critical role of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department in safeguarding national security and protecting the country's borders. He warned that when immigration personnel place personal gain above patriotism, they create opportunities for criminal networks to exploit border control systems.He also urged officers to uphold the national interest by serving with integrity, professionalism and loyalty, while highlighting the significant investments made by the Government of Sierra Leone and its development partners to modernize the Department and enhance service delivery in line with international standards.
Mr. Tomboyeke further enlightened participants on key offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, as amended in 2019, reminding them that conviction for corruption offences attracts a minimum fine of Le50,000, imprisonment for not less than five years, or both. He also encouraged officers to complete and submit their online Income, Asset and Liability Declaration forms, noting that the Commission had extended the declaration deadline to Friday, 31st July 2026.
Speaking on corruption and border governance, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Abdulai Saccoh, described corruption as a major enabler of irregular migration and a threat to national security. He noted that corrupt practices facilitate illegal border crossings and allow human smuggling networks to evade official immigration controls.
He cautioned officers against acts such as forgery of application documents, the unlawful issuance or sale of passports, non-enforcement of residency permit regulations, manipulation of work permit quotas, and the circumvention of government levies. According to him, such practices not only deprive Government of much-needed revenue but also compromise national security.
While acknowledging the operational challenges confronting the Department, Mr. Saccoh stressed that such difficulties should never justify unethical conduct or compromise the effective discharge of statutory responsibilities. He observed that several public institutions have suffered declining public confidence due to integrity failures and the abandonment of their mandates.
Earlier, SLID Regional Commander, James Cooper, commended the ACC for the timely engagement, describing it as an important opportunity to deepen officers' understanding of corruption prevention and accountability. He urged his colleagues to uphold professionalism and integrity, noting that dishonest conduct can damage both individual reputations and the image of the institution. He reaffirmed the Department's commitment to regulating cross-border movements, issuing travel documents and managing foreign nationals in Sierra Leone.
Also speaking, ACC Public Education Officer, David Garrick, said the engagement forms part of the Commission's strategic public education drive to strengthen accountability, promote ethical conduct and improve service delivery across public institutions. He reminded participants that fighting corruption is a shared national responsibility and urged them to always place the interest of Sierra Leone above personal considerations while discharging their duties with diligence and integrity.
