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Allegations of a major financial scandal have emerged within the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) under the leadership of Inspector General William Fayia Sellu. According to the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, a discrepancy amounting to NLe6,611,633.43 (6.6 billion old Leones) has been identified, raising serious questions about the integrity of the SLP’s financial management.
According to Gleaner Newspaper, the report highlights substantial inconsistencies between the SLP’s payroll and its official staff list for the fiscal year 2023. Auditors reportedly found that 265 individuals receiving salaries could not be matched to the official staff roster, leading to the suspicion that these payments may have been made to non-existent or unauthorized personnel.
Further scrutiny revealed that the payroll vouchers did not account for all 461 employees on the nominal roll, a violation of Regulation 114 (1) of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2018. Additionally, it is alleged that salaries continued to be paid to seven former employees who had left the force due to death, discharge, or retirement, amounting to NLe130,475.18 in unwarranted payments.
These findings suggest significant lapses in oversight and accountability within the SLP, prompting widespread concern and calls for a thorough investigation to address the alleged financial mismanagement.
Gleaner Newspaper also disclosed that when contacted for a statement, the Sierra Leone Police reportedly declined to comment on the matter.
