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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded its investigation into alleged abuses of office by Dr. Philip John Kanu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), and certain senior staff members.
The allegations, received in January 2024, included claims of conspiracy, abuse of position, wrongful termination of lecturers, and improper salary deductions, under the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, amended in 2019.
The ACC’s investigation centered on the terminations of three lecturers—Sheik Tejan Rogers, Emmanuel Anthony, and Mustapha Kanneh—allegedly accused of sexual harassment and grade manipulation.
According to ACC findings, the university detained these lecturers for two days at its police post without due process, denying them access to food or legal representation.
The ACC noted a three-month delay between the issuance and delivery of termination letters, further questioning the university’s adherence to due process. Additionally, one lecturer, Rogers, was publicly labeled a “sexual harasser” in a wanted notice, posted on WhatsApp with a Le 10,000 reward for his location, before any formal investigation had verified the claims.
A further ACC inquiry into claims of sexual harassment brought against the lecturers found inconsistencies in the testimony of Rahimatu A.F. Kamara, the accuser. The student, enrolled in a diploma program, failed to formally report the alleged harassment until after she was accused of exam malpractice. The ACC noted that MMTU’s Sexual Harassment Policy, submitted as evidence, was undated and did not meet required standards.
ACC investigators confirmed the improper deduction of Le 3,000 from the salaries of MMTU lecturers for a training program. This deduction was conducted without staff consent, and MMTU lacked a formal training and staff development policy.
Following its investigation, the ACC cleared Dr. Kanu and MMTU staff of any criminal wrongdoing, describing the issues as administrative rather than criminal in nature. However, it recommended administrative reviews and disciplinary actions where appropriate. The ACC advised the University Court to examine the improper salary deductions and recommended that aggrieved staff pursue legal recourse if desired.
Additionally, the ACC referred the matter of lecturers’ detention to the Sierra Leone Police Complaints Discipline and Internal Investigations Department for review.
The ACC affirmed its commitment to working with MMTU to strengthen its administrative systems to prevent future mismanagement, reiterating the importance of anti-corruption efforts within public institutions.
