ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala
By Mohamed Kamara
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has announced the coming into force of new regulations aimed at protecting whistleblowers and witnesses involved in corruption cases.
In a press release, the ACC said the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations, 2025 provide a clear legal framework to safeguard individuals who report corruption or give evidence in the public interest. The regulations were made under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, as amended in 2019.
According to the Commission, whistleblowers and witnesses who face threats, intimidation or retaliation can apply directly to the ACC for protection. The Commission is required to make decisions within set timelines and can grant urgent interim protection where lives or property are at risk.
Once approved, beneficiaries will enter into binding protection agreements with the ACC, allowing for measures such as physical security, relocation and, where necessary, concealment or change of identity. Special protection arrangements are also provided for children, subject to High Court oversight.
The ACC said the regulations also introduce a reward and compensation system. Whistleblowers whose information leads to the successful exposure of corruption may receive monetary or non-monetary rewards, while those who suffer retaliation, including unlawful dismissal or discrimination, are entitled to compensation. Persons found guilty of retaliating against whistleblowers or witnesses risk sanctions, including removal from office.
The Commission noted that the regulations criminalise acts aimed at intimidating protected persons, obstructing protection measures or suppressing protected disclosures. All information relating to whistleblowers and witnesses will be treated with strict confidentiality.
The ACC said the new framework aligns Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption efforts with international standards, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
The Commission thanked the Government, Parliament and the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for their support and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
