By Alfred Koroma
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced the sale of property belonging to Mohamed Sheku Turay following a court order.
Turay, a former banker, was convicted on two counts of corruption and sentenced in July 2021 to pay a fine of 100 million Leones or serve 10 years in prison. He was also ordered to repay over 3.9 billion Leones funds he stole from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
ACC says while Turay paid the fine, he failed to pay the restitution and fled the country.
The High Court approved the sale of his property, a four-story residential and commercial building valued at about USD$ 300,000 to recover the funds.
Combating corruption at EDSA remains a complex challenge for government with President Bio repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction with the Company tasked with collecting electricity bills.
In April last year, he brought the Ministry of Energy under his direct control following the resignation of the Energy Minister, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, who resigned due to long weeks of constant blackout in the capital, Freetown.
At a Town Hall meeting in July, the President blamed the electricity distribution Company for not doing enough to collect light bills from citizens and hitting on its corrupt practices and lack of accountability.
In September, the International Monetary Fund said revenue losses at EDSA are straining the national finances, resulting in significant fiscal pressures.
