Documents Reveal How Over Le452 Billion Was Illegally Withdrawn from Sierra Leone Timber Levy Account

Financial records reviewed by Africanist Press has revealed that over Le452 billion (old Leones) was withdrawn from Sierra Leone’s Timber Export Levy Account between December 2018 and December 2020, without adherence to the country’s finance and transparency laws.

The documents were shared by Chernoh Alpha M. Bah, an investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Africanist Press, a project dedicated to exposing corruption, promoting democracy, and defending free speech in Africa.

The account, held at the Bank of Sierra Leone in the name of Leadway Trading Company Limited (Account No. 111 003 527), was used for 273 transactions over the two-year period. These transactions raised serious concerns, as they appear to lack compliance with proper procedures.

Among the documents, Le135.5 billion in cash deposits were reportedly paid by Leadway into the Timber Export Levy Account between 28 August 2020 and 11 November 2020, which has raised significant doubts over the legitimacy and origin of these payments.

Further review of these payments reveals problems with how they were handled, showing signs that they might not have followed the correct legal or financial processes. These irregularities suggest the possibility of improper actions in managing the funds.

The investigation, led by Africanist Press, also points to the involvement of senior officials from both the Bio administration and opposition parties, suggesting that they may have helped shield Leadway Trading from legal consequences and concealed potential corruption within Sierra Leone’s timber industry.