Legal representatives for Madam Aminata Bangura, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) elections, have refuted what they describe as an “adverse and unsubstantiated finding” by the SLFA Ethics Committee over an alleged forged police clearance certificate stressing that the certificate in question was issued and signed by the current Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who later rescinded it.

In a letter addressed to the SLFA Ethics Committee and copied to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, the law firm Marrah & Associates clarified that Madam Bangura obtained her police clearance certificate dated 10th June 2025 through the official channel the CID and that the document bore the signature of the current Head of CID. The certificate was part of the required documentation for her SLFA candidacy.

However, during a hearing held on 12th July 2025, Madam Bangura was unexpectedly confronted with a letter  reportedly signed by the same CID official  rescinding the earlier clearance. The lawyers argue that Madam Bangura had never been formally informed of the rescission before the hearing, and firmly deny any allegation of forgery or falsification of the signature.

“This was an official document issued by the CID and signed by the Head of CID himself. If there were any internal administrative irregularities or reversals, responsibility lies with the police institution, not our client,” the legal team asserted.

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The lawyers emphasized that there is no evidence Madam Bangura forged or tampered with the clearance, and described the SLFA Ethics Committee’s suggestion of forgery as unjustified and damaging.

To further demonstrate good faith, Madam Bangura has since reapplied for a new police clearance, and the police have confirmed that a new certificate will be issued within 72 hours. A receipt of her application was attached to the legal communication.

Citing Paragraph 4 of Part 1, Annex A of the SLFA’s integrity check guidelines, the legal team noted that Madam Bangura has never been criminally convicted or sanctioned by any judicial or sporting body, which is the standard for failing the integrity test.

They maintain that the Committee’s interpretation of the matter threatens not just due process but also their client’s hard-earned reputation both nationally and internationally.

The letter warned that falsely implying fraudulent conduct without any legal or prosecutorial conclusion could result in legal proceedings, including defamation claims, and noted that Madam Bangura reserves the right to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In response to the legal challenge, SLFA Ethics Committee Chairman Abu Bakarr Sheriff Esq. said he was unaware of the claims and clarified that the Committee has not yet reached a decision.

The case has now drawn attention to procedural transparency within both law enforcement and football governance as stakeholders await the next steps from the Ethics Committee and potential intervention by international football bodies.