The Civil Rights Coalition (CRC), a network of civil society organizations advocating for justice, accountability, and institutional integrity in Sierra Leone, has called on the Minister of Technical and Higher Education to step aside following concerns raised over governance practices at the University of Sierra Leone (USL).
The call comes in response to findings from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) released on 14th May 2025, which highlighted administrative, procurement, financial, and governance irregularities at the country’s premier university. After reviewing the report and consulting with stakeholders in the academic community, the CRC said it believes an impartial review is urgently needed.
The ACC report reportedly details instances of intimidation, harassment, reputational damage, and threats of dismissal directed at several senior university officials. Many of these allegations, according to the report, were unsupported by evidence or had already been examined by oversight institutions, including the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and the ACC itself.
The Coalition expressed particular concern that some officials were denied the opportunity to respond fairly to accusations before punitive actions or public condemnation were taken. These actions, the CRC argued, undermine the principles of natural justice, administrative fairness, and institutional due process that are fundamental to public institutions in a democratic society.
Several allegations against senior officials, including claims of theft and financial misconduct, could not be substantiated following independent review. Despite the lack of evidence, those accused suffered significant reputational harm, emotional distress, professional uncertainty, and public humiliation, the CRC said.
The Coalition warned that the developments have fostered an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and political interference within the University of Sierra Leone, emphasizing that the independence and autonomy of academic institutions must be safeguarded from arbitrary administrative actions and abuse of authority.
Citing the ACC’s caution against external interference that could undermine university credibility, the CRC urged the government to act decisively. The Coalition called for an independent committee to review procedural abuse, intimidation, and institutional interference at USL. It also stressed the need for the rights, dignity, and reputations of unfairly targeted officials to be publicly restored and for safeguards to ensure that future disciplinary processes within public universities adhere strictly to due process, fairness, transparency, and evidence-based standards.
The CRC concluded by affirming that the call is not intended to weaken government institutions but to strengthen democratic accountability, restore public confidence, and protect the integrity of Sierra Leone’s education system. The coalition remains committed to upholding justice, transparency, and the rule of law while urging the government to act responsibly in the interest of institutional credibility, national stability, and the future of higher education in the country.
PRESS RELEASE
Civil Rights Coalition
CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION CALLS ON THE MINISTER OF TECHNICAL AND HIGHER EDUCATION TO STEP ASIDE FOLLOWING ACC FINDINGS AND CONCERNS OVER UNFAIR TREATMENT AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE
The Civil Rights Coalition (CRC), a network of civil society organizations committed to justice, accountability, institutional integrity, and the protection of democratic governance in Sierra Leone, is deeply concerned by the recent findings published by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding allegations of administrative, procurement, financial, and governance irregularities at the University of Sierra Leone (USL).
Following a careful review of the ACC report released on 14th May 2025, and consultations with concerned stakeholders within the academic community, the Coalition hereby calls on the Minister of Technical and Higher Education to immediately step aside from office pending broader administrative and institutional reviews into the serious governance concerns raised by the report and by senior officials within the University of Sierra Leone.
The ACC report clearly highlights troubling issues relating to intimidation, harassment, reputational damage, and threats of dismissal directed at several senior university officials based on allegations that were either unsupported by evidence or had already been examined by competent oversight institutions, including the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and the ACC itself.
Particularly alarming are the findings that some affected officials were denied adequate opportunity to fairly respond to accusations before punitive actions and public condemnation were initiated against them. Such actions undermine the principles of natural justice, administrative fairness, and institutional due process that should govern all public institutions in a democratic society.
The Coalition is especially disturbed by the ACC’s observation that several allegations against senior university officials could not be substantiated after independent review, including allegations relating to theft and financial misconduct. Despite the absence of evidence, those accused reportedly suffered significant reputational harm, emotional distress, professional uncertainty, and public humiliation.
We believe these developments have created a dangerous atmosphere of fear, Address: 45 Fort Street, Freetown Email:slcrc2010@gmail.com
intimidation, and political interference within the country’s premier higher education institution. The independence and autonomy of academic institutions must be protected from undue influence, arbitrary administrative actions, and abuse of authority.
The Civil Rights Coalition further notes the ACC’s warning against external interference capable of undermining the autonomy and credibility of the university system. This warning should not be taken lightly. Universities must remain spaces governed by fairness, evidence-based decision-making, academic freedom, and lawful administrative procedures.
In light of these findings, the Coalition respectfully but firmly calls for the following actions:
- The Minister of Technical and Higher Education should immediately step aside to allow for an independent and impartial review of concerns surrounding the administration and governance of the University of Sierra Leone.
- Government should establish an independent committee comprising representatives from civil society, academia, legal professionals, and governance experts to review allegations of procedural abuse, intimidation, and institutional interference within USL.
- The rights, dignity, and reputations of officials who were unfairly targeted should be publicly restored in accordance with the findings of the ACC report.
- Clear safeguards must be introduced to ensure that future disciplinary and investigative processes within public universities strictly adhere to due process, fairness, transparency, and evidence-based standards.
- Parliament and relevant oversight institutions should closely monitor reforms within the higher education sector to protect institutional autonomy and accountability.
The Coalition emphasizes that this call is not intended to undermine government institutions, but rather to strengthen democratic accountability, restore public confidence, and protect the integrity of Sierra Leone’s educational system.
As civil society actors, we remain committed to defending justice, transparency, rule of law, and the protection of citizens and public officials from arbitrary treatment and abuse of authority.
We urge the Government of Sierra Leone to act responsibly and in the best interest of institutional credibility, national stability, and the future of higher education in our country.
Signed:
National Coordinator Civil Rights Coalition
Alphonso Manley.