By: Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
The University of Sierra Leone and the Anti-Corruption Commission are at odds over the findings of a high-profile probe into alleged procurement irregularities at USL’s Business Centre between 2021 and 2023.
The ACC released its report on May 8, concluding that claims of financial misconduct at the Business Centre were “unsupported.” Investigators said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the Finance Director, and noted that the Business Centre operates as a private company outside the scope of public procurement law. The Commission added that four vehicles purchased by the Centre were board-approved and procured under budget.
On the Le 6.5 million in transactions flagged by USL’s own internal committee, the ACC stated that “no evidence of misappropriation or financial misconduct by the Director of Finance was established,” and that all supporting documents were presented, verified, and cleared following audits by the Audit Service Sierra Leone and the Commission’s own investigation.
The report also highlighted administrative gaps. Fourah Bay College, the ACC said, could not account for overhead utilization due to poor record-keeping and the absence of a university-wide system. Delays in submitting 2022-2023 financial statements were blamed on upgrades to the SAGE accounting platform and staffing constraints, though 2021 records were submitted.
A broader governance concern emerged around research grants. The ACC found that USL lacks a centralized grant management framework and urged the university to adopt the system developed independently by the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences with international partners.
The Commission’s recommendations called on USL to respect ongoing Audit Service audits, ensure due process in future investigations, formally recognize the Business Centre’s autonomy, and roll out COMAHS’ grant management model across the university.
In a May 20 position paper, USL Management accepted 17 policy breaches identified by its Court-mandated Policy Sub-Committee but rejected key conclusions in the ACC report. The university accused the Commission of downplaying systemic failures and mischaracterizing administrative decisions.
USL clarified that the Registrar and Finance Director were placed on leave in January 2024 because their five-year contracts had expired, not due to corruption allegations. It stressed that neither individual was dismissed.
On the Business Centre, USL argued that its separate legal status does not exempt it from accountability when handling public funds. Citing a 2021 warning from the National Public Procurement Authority, the university said the Centre overstepped its mandate and created a conflict of interest by acting as both supplier and facilitator, contrary to Section 33(1)(c) of the Public Procurement Act 2016.
The university also pointed to two independent reviews — INVCOM and the Policy Sub-Committee — that reached similar findings on systemic weaknesses. It warned that accepting the ACC report without scrutiny would set a dangerous precedent for institutional governance.
USL said it is moving ahead with corrective measures based on five internal reports from early 2025, including an investment policy for the Business Centre and the creation of a Centralized Monitoring and Evaluation Unit.
ACC Deputy Director of Public Relations Sylvanus Blake dismissed USL’s demand for an apology and retraction during a radio appearance on Morning Devotion.
“Never, we will not retract nor apologise,” Blake said. “Our competence is above retracting, and we are not working based on anybody’s perception. This is a professional institution for 26 years.”
He maintained that the Commission follows rigorous procedures before publishing findings and stands by its report.
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