Steven Keifala, the Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports at Sierra Leone’s National Sports Authority (NSA), is at the center of a scandal involving allegations of visa fraud.

According to Gleaner Newspaper Keifala is accused of defrauding Mohamed Marvel Deen out of NLe 47,000 in connection with a promise to secure a spot on a national team traveling to Finland.

The incident reportedly occurred in May 2023 near Malta Street in Freetown. Deen claims that Keifala had offered him a place on the Sierra Leonean delegation, requesting a total of NLe 100,000 (100 million old Leones) to facilitate the visa process.

However, after paying an initial sum of NLe 47,000, Deen alleges that Keifala failed to deliver the visa and refused to refund the money.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Keifala has denied any involvement in the transaction.

He asserts that he was not part of any such arrangement and has distanced himself from the claims. As the case unfolds, many are closely watching how the authorities will address the situation, given Keifala’s prominent role within the NSA.