Sierra Leone: Officials arrested for hajj funds theft

By Alpha Kamara

DAKAR, Senegal

Two top government officials were arrested Thursday by Sierra Leone’s anti-graft agency for alleged embezzlement of Hajj funds, the country's Anti-Corruption Commission announced.

Momoh Bockarie Foh, the permanent secretary at the Social Welfare Ministry, which controls hajj affairs, and also brother of the country’s Vice President Victor Bockarie Foh, and the ministry’s chief accountant Mariatu Harding were arrested after a leaked audio allegedly records them trying to pocket up to $3,000 meant for Hajj activities.

The leaked audio circulated on social media has the permanent secretary allegedly telling a bank official to transfer the funds to a private account for him, and also mentioning the accountant’s name.

This tip made the anti-graft agency arrest the two officials as the investigation continues.

Pilgrims from Sierra Leone were banned by Saudi authorities from attending Hajj for the last two years due to the Ebola outbreak. The ban was lifted in June, and an estimated 1,600 pilgrims are expected to make the trip to the holy land this year.

The Social Welfare Ministry has been wracked by controversies, as the former Minister Moijueh Kaikai and his deputy were sacked by the president for official misconduct.

The current minister, Sylvia Blyden, has also been controversial, but has also taken stands against corruption.

A government official speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears of retribution told Anadolu Agency that this alleged embezzlement is a test to see if the government is serious in fighting corruption, as one of the accused is the vice president’s brother.