Freetown, Sierra Leone, 22nd January, 2026: United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone has commended the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Judiciary for securing a decisive victory against financial misconduct, following the conviction of the bank’s former Head of Operations, Frederick Caulker.
In a statement highlighting the resolution of the case, UBA Sierra Leone’s Managing Director/CEO, Mohamed Alhajie Samoura, praised the ACC and the Court for their swift and thorough handling of the matter. The commendation follows a formal notification from the ACC dated 19th January 2026, confirming the successful conclusion of proceedings against Caulker.
Caulker, of No. 38A Taylor Street, Wellington, Freetown, faced four counts of corruption for misappropriating nearly 2 billion (Old Leones) in public funds intended for the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The funds, comprising PAYE and withholding taxes paid by the Small Holder Commercialization Agri-Business Development Project (SCADeP), were allegedly diverted by Caulker from the designated NRA account into unauthorized channels while he served as Head of Operations at UBA.
Following UBA’s prompt reporting of these irregularities, Caulker fled to the United States to join his relocated family. The ACC, however, pursued the case relentlessly, ensuring that justice was served despite his absence.
The Honourable Judge imposed a severe sentence: 40 years imprisonment, structured as 10 years on each of the four counts to run consecutively. Alternatively, Caulker has been ordered to pay a fine of NLe 100,000 per count, totaling NLe 400,000. The court also mandated the restitution of NLe 1,980,233.40—the exact amount stolen—into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, in a social media statement, emphasized zero tolerance for such crimes, asserting, “We will not allow him to enjoy his criminality ever happily after.” The Commission announced plans to arrest and extradite Frederick, alongside steps to sell his Wellington property, which his father had falsely claimed ownership of.
Reiterating the bank’s commitment to corporate governance, the UBA MD/CEO noted that the bank’s proactive reporting was pivotal to this outcome. “This verdict validates the strength of our internal control systems and our refusal to compromise on integrity. By proactively reporting this anomaly, UBA has demonstrated that we remain a transparent institution where public funds are secure, and where accountability is non-negotiable,” Samoura stated.
The case serves as a strong deterrent amid ongoing efforts to safeguard public revenue in Sierra Leone’s financial sector.
