The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has indicted Frederick Caulker, former Head of Operations at United Bank of Africa (UBA), on five counts of corruption charges for the alleged misappropriation of over NLe 1.9 million in public revenue.
The charges, filed under Sections 36(1) and 128(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 (amended in 2019), include four counts of misappropriation of public revenue and one count of conspiracy to commit a corruption offence. The misappropriated funds consist of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and Withholding Taxes paid by the Smallholder Commercialization Agri-Business Development Project (SCADeP) to the National Revenue Authority (NRA).
According to the ACC, Caulker misappropriated NLe 1,291,623.50 in January 2024. The total amount misappropriated stands at NLe 1,980,233.4, impacting public revenue intended for critical national services.
Caulker, who remains at large, faces trial in absentia if he does not appear for the first hearing scheduled for December 5, 2024.
The ACC emphasized its unwavering commitment to combating corruption and safeguarding public funds in Sierra Leone.
Further developments on the case are anticipated as the trial proceeds.
