ACC Releases Findings on Investigation into 3 Vehicles Received as Gifts by Former Chief Immigration Officer

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has completed its investigation into allegations that the former Chief Immigration Officer (CIO), Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, received three vehicles as gifts during his tenure from April 1, 2018, to October 3, 2023. Following a thorough examination of the case, the ACC has released its findings and conclusions.

According to the ACC, Mr. Kaikai disclosed receiving the vehicles to both the Parliamentary Appointments Committee and in his Asset Declaration Form submitted to the ACC. However, the investigation revealed procedural shortcomings, particularly the absence of a Gift Register at the Immigration Department where Mr. Kaikai worked. This lack of a register meant that details regarding the source and nature of the gifts were not adequately documented as required by the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, as amended in 2019.

The investigation further established that the vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Fortuner, and Mercedes Benz G-Wagon—were cleared through Vantay Clearing and Forwarding Agency on different dates between November 2022 and 2023. Documents from shipping lines indicated the vehicles originated from the United Arab Emirates, specifically Jebel Ali, and were sent by Wissam Elhousseim, a Lebanese American citizen based in Texas, USA.

Mr. Elhousseim, who confirmed gifting the vehicles to Mr. Kaikai as a gesture of gratitude for legal services provided in Texas, cooperated fully with the ACC’s inquiries, providing all necessary documentation to support his explanation.

Despite procedural lapses identified during the investigation, including the lack of a standardized Gift Register in public institutions, the ACC noted that Mr. Kaikai’s disclosures to both Parliament and the ACC met regulatory requirements. Consequently, the Commission determined that the case did not meet the prosecutorial threshold for further action.

Moving forward, the ACC emphasized its commitment to collaborating with public institutions to establish and enforce Gift Registers as mandated by law. This effort aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of gifts received by public officials, ensuring compliance with the Anti-Corruption Act.