1. ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION INTEGRITY HOUSE TOWER HILL, FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE, WEST AFRICA Ref: ACC/PR/25/020 23rd December, 2025. PRESS RELEASE ACC SECURES CONVICTION AGAINST AKMED KARIM AND MARY BANYA CUSTOMS OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL REVENUE AUTHORITY ON TWO COUNTS OF CORRUPTION OFFENCES The High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Freetown, presided over by the Honourable Aiah Simeon Alieu JA, on Thursday 18 th December 2025, convicted AKMED KARIM of No. 49 Matindi House, Brookfields, Freetown, and MARY BANYA of No. 26 Parsonage Street, Kissy, Freetown, on TWO (2) COUNTS of corruption offences. AKMED KARIM and MARY BANYA , both CUSTOMS OFFICERS of the National Revenue Authority, formerly stationed at the Queen Elizabeth Quay II in Freetown, were each convicted on TWO (2) COUNTS of Soliciting an Advantage contrary to Section 28 (2) and Accepting an Advantage, contrary to Section 28 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008. The Honourable judge sentenced AKMED KARIM and MARY BANYA each to THREE (3) YEARS IMPRISONMENT or a fine of SIXTY THOUSAND (NEW) LEONES (NLE 60,000) on the TWO (2) COUNTS. During the proceedings leading to their convictions, the ACC adduced sufficient evidence to prove that, on 28 th February 2019, AKMED KARIM AND MARY BANYA solicited TWO MILLION, FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (OLD) LEONES (Le 2,500,000) from a staff of Bollore Logistics, to facilitate the clearing process of a 40-foot container owned by one Juan Ruiz, an American businessman. In respect of the above, the Commission wishes to assure the general public of its unflinching commitment to combat bribery and all other forms of corruption. For further enquiries on this and other matters, please contact Alex A. Bah, Ag. Public Relations Officer, on +23278004714 or via email info@anticorruption.gov.sl ............................. ABUBAKARR TURAY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH DEPARTMENT