Thomas Daddy Brima, president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), has been granted provisional release following his recent arrest in connection with an ongoing corruption investigation led by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Brima, alongside acting secretary-general Benson Bawoh and SLFA finance head Ibrahim Bah, was released on Friday to enable their participation in the association’s ordinary congress scheduled for Saturday, April 5.
The trio had been in custody as part of an inquiry into the suspected misappropriation of SLFA funds.
The ACC confirmed that the investigation is centred on the suspicious transfer of funds amounting to $720,144 into Brima’s personal bank account.
These transfers reportedly occurred over a three-year period, beginning on June 25, 2021, and ending on July 12, 2024.
Francis Ben Kaifala, head of the ACC, stated that the commission is committed to uncovering the full extent of the financial misconduct within the national football body.
“The investigation is active and continues to probe all aspects of the alleged financial irregularities,” Kaifala said.
Brima was initially held at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in Freetown before authorities approved his conditional release.
While the specific conditions of the provisional release have not been disclosed, it is clear that the arrangement is temporary and intended solely to allow Brima’s attendance at the SLFA congress.
Sources close to the matter indicate that the investigation has drawn significant public interest, with growing calls for accountability and transparency in Sierra Leonean football governance.
The scandal has cast a shadow over the sport’s leadership, raising questions about internal financial controls and the overall integrity of the SLFA.
No formal charges have yet been filed against Brima, Bawoh, or Bah, but all three remain subjects of the ACC’s inquiry.
The commission has not ruled out further legal action as new evidence continues to emerge.
The SLFA congress, now set to proceed with the key figures present, is expected to be closely watched amid the backdrop of the corruption allegations.
Observers anticipate that the scandal will dominate the proceedings, potentially affecting the leadership dynamics within the federation.
This controversy is not the first time Sierra Leone’s football governance has faced scrutiny. Previous administrations have also been accused of mismanagement and financial impropriety, contributing to a longstanding perception of instability within the association.
As the investigation progresses, the ACC has pledged to maintain transparency in its findings and has assured the public that no individual will be shielded from accountability, regardless of position or influence.
For now, the football community in Sierra Leone awaits further developments, as the nation’s top football officials attempt to defend their actions and salvage the credibility of an institution under siege.
