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The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has strongly refuted allegations of “massive corruption” within the institution, as reported by certain media outlets.
The claims stem from an audit query concerning 69,559 Leones in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, which was collected by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) on behalf of the Judiciary.
In a recent press release, the Judiciary’s Communications and Public Affairs Unit categorically stated that those allegations are “false, misinformed, and deliberately sensationalized to mislead the public and discredit the integrity of the Judiciary.”
The Judiciary provided clarification, explaining that the amount in question relates to court fines, search fees, and other service fees, which are not collected or handled by the Judiciary itself.
Instead, they reported that the NRA staff are stationed at court premises across the country and are solely responsible for the collection and banking of all revenue from court-related charges.
According to the press statement, the NRA has since provided the Auditor General’s office with the relevant bank statements, confirming that the said amount was duly paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund or approved banks, the Judiciary noted.
On August 14, 2025, according to the report, the Judiciary was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament to review the findings and recommendations outlined in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report.
During the deliberations, the Committee noticed that the bank statements and the NRA’s supporting documents regarding the unaccounted monies were not reflected in the audit findings due to the Auditors’ failure to capture the NRA’s follow-up documentation.
The report went forward to confirm that even the NRA’s response to the Judiciary to clarify those queries was never included in the final Auditor General’s Report.
The Judiciary Communications and Public Affairs Unit expressed deep regret that certain journalists had circulated “fake and misleading narratives suggesting corruption where none exists,” without verifying the facts as provided in the Independent Media Code of Practice.
The Judiciary reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, stating that it operates within a system of checks and balances, and its financial transactions are subject to the same scrutiny and controls as other public institutions.
The release concluded by calling on members of the press to exercise responsible journalism, verify facts before publication, and avoid peddling narratives that undermine public trust in national institutions without cause.
