By Alimatu Jalloh
December 18, 2025: Two customs officials have been sentenced to three years imprisonment each after being found guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes totaling Le 2.5 million (old leones) to facilitate the clearance of a shipping container at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay.
Delivering judgment at the High Court, Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, a Court of Appeal Judge sitting as a High Court Judge, convicted Akmed Karim of Brookfields and Mary Banya of Kissy on two counts of corruption offences under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008.
The prosecution alleged that on February 28, 2019, the two officers demanded Le 2.5 million from Sigismond Tommy Mei, an Operations Assistant at Bollore Logistics, to release a container belonging to Juan Ruiz, an American businessman engaged in mineral exports.
Both defendants initially pleaded not guilty, denying any involvement. However, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) presented 10 witnesses, including Ruiz and Mei, whose testimonies proved pivotal.
Mei testified that the officers refused to release the container until the bribe was paid. Ruiz confirmed that the demand was made during the clearing process of his 40-foot container shipped by Alan Jenkins in 2018.
ACC investigator Lucy Kabba told the court that the investigation uncovered compelling evidence warranting prosecution.
Justice Allieu ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He rejected defense pleas for leniency, noting that while Banya was a mother and caregiver and Karim was nearing retirement, the offences were serious breaches of public trust.
The judge sentenced both convicts to three years imprisonment or a fine of thirty thousand new leones for each count.
Acquittal of Third Officer
In the same proceedings, a third customs officer, Momodu Allieu Sow, faced charges of soliciting Le 3 million to undervalue a boat belonging to Ruiz. However, Justice Allieu acquitted and discharged Sow, ruling that the state had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecutor J. Deen-Tarawalie Esq. had argued for harsher sentences under the 2019 Amendment Act, citing wasted court time and state resources. However, Justice Allieu maintained that the offences fell under the 2008 Act, limiting sentencing options.
The ruling underscores the judiciary’s commitment to tackling corruption within Sierra Leone’s public institutions, sending a strong message of deterrence to public officials.