Two Immigration Officers in Court for Misappropriation of Public Funds

Two employees of the Sierra Leone Immigration Department, Alpha Brima Timbo and Clifford Bola Thomas, have been charged with misappropriation of public revenue and are set to face Justice Semion Aiah Alie today, September 24, 2024. Both individuals, attached to the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the Immigration Department, stand accused of diverting funds meant for the department into their personal accounts.

The case stems from incidents in February 2024, when Timbo and Thomas allegedly misappropriated payments made by foreign nationals for residence permits. Instead of depositing the funds into the Sierra Leone Immigration Department’s official account, as required by law, they are accused of pocketing the fees.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Timbo issued residence permits to four foreign nationals—three Lebanese citizens, Amtonios Touma, Antoine Moufarret, and Nassib Jaber, as well as Cuban national Alexander Guilarte F. Rubio—charging each a sum of five thousand New Leones (NLe 5,000). In total, Timbo allegedly received NLe 20,000 from these transactions.

Meanwhile, Clifford Bola Thomas is accused of issuing a residence permit to Charles Paul Owe, a Tanzanian national employed by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), on behalf of a Freetown nominee, Madam Taylor. Thomas is reported to have received NLe 10,000 for his role in facilitating the issuance of the permit.

Investigations conducted by the ACC revealed that none of the fees collected by the two officers were deposited into the Sierra Leone Immigration Department Treasury Account, as stipulated by law. These residence permits, required for foreign nationals intending to reside in Sierra Leone, were instead unlawfully processed without any record of payment to the Immigration Department.

The actions of Timbo and Thomas have deprived the Immigration Department of much-needed revenue, according to the ACC. Both accused individuals are facing charges under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2019 (amended), which criminalizes the misappropriation of public funds.

The case has attracted significant attention, as the Immigration Department plays a key role in managing the legal status of foreign nationals in the country. The outcome of the trial could have broader implications for public accountability within Sierra Leone’s government institutions, particularly as the country continues its fight against corruption.

The hearing is expected to determine whether Timbo and Thomas will be held accountable for their actions, with potential penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment if found guilty. The court’s decision will send a clear message regarding the handling of public funds and the importance of integrity in public service