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Dr. Sarah Finda Bendu, the former Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), and Victor Labor, a former employee of the institution, have been convicted by the High Court of Sierra Leone on multiple corruption charges.
Dr. Bendu was convicted on eight counts of corruption offences, including Misappropriation of Public Funds, Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, and Failure to Comply with Applicable Procedures and Guidelines Relating to the Tendering of Contracts and the Management of Public Funds. Similarly, Victor Labor was convicted on six counts of similar corruption-related charges.
The charges stemmed from actions taken by both individuals while they were in positions of authority at the SLRSA, in violation of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008. Specifically, the two were found guilty of misappropriating public funds and failing to follow the proper procedures required for managing government contracts and public funds.
In her ruling, the court sentenced Dr. Bendu to a fine of two hundred and forty million leones (old currency), which must be paid immediately. Additionally, she was ordered to make restitution by paying back a sum of six hundred and ninety-seven million two hundred and forty-five thousand five hundred and six leones (old currency) to the Government of Sierra Leone within six months of the judgment.
Victor Labor was also fined one hundred and eighty million leones (old currency), to be paid immediately. In addition, he was ordered to repay the government the same amount as Dr. Bendu—six hundred and ninety-seven million two hundred and forty-five thousand five hundred and six leones – within six months.
The convictions are the latest in a series of anti-corruption efforts by the Sierra Leone government to combat public sector corruption. The ruling has sent a strong message about the government’s commitment to holding individuals accountable for financial mismanagement and corruption within public institutions.
Both Dr. Bendu and Victor Labor were given an opportunity to appeal the judgment within the legal timeframe. However, the court’s decision is deemed a major step in the ongoing fight against corruption in Sierra Leone’s public sector.
The conviction of these two former SLRSA officials is part of broader efforts by the Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to improve transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, particularly in key government agencies.
