The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has put up for sale a property valued at $300,000 – a proceed of fraud belonging to one Mohamed Sheku Turay recently convicted of embezzling over Le3.9 billion, fund of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).

Turay, a former banker with Rokel Commercial Bank, was found guilty and sentenced on July 22, 2021, by the courts of Honourable Justice Simeon Allieu in Freetown. The court ordered him to pay a fine of Le100 million (about $10,000) or get imprisoned for 10 years. Although, the accused person was said to have paid the fine, he could not however meet the court's restitution order which required him to repay 3.9 billion old leones by September 30, 2021. This restitution was aimed at making amends for the significant financial damage he caused through his corrupt dealings with EDSA.

As efforts by the ACC to extract the restitution payments from Turay proved unsuccessful, he subsequently fled the country, prompting the ACC to seek legal remedy. The High Court granted the ACC an order to sell Turay’s property to recover the misappropriated funds on behalf of the state. The property subject to auction is described as a four-storey residential and commercial building spanning 0.0602 acres, or approximately 0.7 town lots. It has been positioned as prime real estate in a bustling area of Freetown, making it an attractive prospect for potential buyers. The ACC has set a deadline for bids to be submitted by January 31, 2025.

Interested parties are encouraged to view and inspect the property prior to placing bids. The sale proceeds will be channelled back into the state coffers, contributing to efforts aimed at combatting corruption and restoring financial integrity.

Bids can be submitted to the ACC’s Procurement Unit, with all proposals assessed to ensure fair and transparent pricing. The commission has emphasized that the property will be sold to the highest bidder, underlining its commitment to securing maximum financial recovery for the state. By liquidating the assets of convicted individuals, the ACC seeks to restore the misappropriated funds and also sends a strong message of accountability to public officials and citizens alike.