By Hajaratu Kalokoh
The Secretary General of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has been cleared by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) which investigated him over suspected abuse of office.
Mr Osman Foday Yansaneh was investigated for his activities when he served as Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Ghana from November 2007 – August 2015, during which period he was also responsible for Burkina Faso and Togo. The politician was accused of receiving salary even though he abandoned his duty and permanently resided in Freetown.
A press release by ACC on Tuesday stated that the commission could not push through with the prosecution because of lack of evidence.
But even though the Commission couldn’t prosecute Yansaneh, it criticized his actions as unacceptable.
“While the Commission finds this state of affairs a cause for concern and needs policy intervention, after due consideration of the statements obtained from various players, analysis of the legal and regulatory framework for foreign service, and the circumstances involved, the Commission has concluded that though the actions of Ambassador Yansaneh were clearly preposterous and a bad example for public service, the necessary evidential threshold required to proceed with prosecution has not been attained,” the release reads.
The ACC investigation was done based on suspicions of Abuse of Office, and Misappropriation of Public Funds both contrary to Sections 42 and 36(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008.
According to ACC, Yansaneh was absent from his duty post for a total of 708 days but still received salary. The Head of Chancery, Mrs. Remoe-Doherty, was also receiving allowance for serving as Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy when Ambassador Yansaneh was away.
“The investigations further exposed risky practices in the management of Public Funds; an absence of a systematic and appropriate monitoring of attendance; and the lack of functional standards in Sierra Leone’s foreign embassies and high commissions. Consequently, we believe many foreign state employees have been taking advantage of the lack of policy guidelines militating against bad practices, including, but not limited to staying away from their post for onerous periods, and continue receiving salaries; while other staff normal salaries receive hefty acting allowances in their places, leading government to serious unnecessary financial loss,” the released said.
Politico contacted Yansaneh but he refused to comment, saying the Commission’s statement was self-explanatory enough.
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