By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced the upcoming sale of a property owned by convicted former banker Mohamed Sheku Turay, who was found guilty of embezzling 3.9 billion Leones from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
This sale follows a court order to auction the property after Turay failed to pay the restitution amount. ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala stated that Turay was convicted of misappropriating over 3.9 billion Leones from EDSA and was fined 100 million Leones, which he paid. However, to recover the full amount stolen and other penalties, the ACC sought and obtained a court order to sell Turay’s property, valued at approximately USD 300,000. The property, located at 4A Jones Street, Kissy, Freetown, is a four-story residential and commercial building.
On July 22, 2021, Turay, a former banker at Rokel Commercial Bank, was sentenced by Justice Simeon Allieu. He was ordered to pay a fine of 100 million Leones immediately or face ten years in prison after being convicted on two counts of corruption offenses. Additionally, he was mandated to repay EDSA 3.9 billion Leones by September 30, 2021. Although Turay paid the court fine, he failed to meet the restitution deadline and subsequently fled the country, evading the Commission’s efforts to recover the stolen funds.
The ACC is now calling for bids from interested parties to purchase the property, with the bidding process open until January 31, 2025. The highest bidder will secure the property, and the funds from the sale will be returned to state coffers to help mitigate the financial loss incurred by EDSA.
Interested buyers are encouraged to inspect the property, which sits on 0.0602 acres (0.7 town lots), before submitting their bids. This initiative aims to ensure transparency and fairness throughout the sale process.
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
