Commissioner Joseph F. Kamara, who was speaking during a one-day public lecture organized for personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) at the Officers Mess, Wilberforce in Freetown, noted that the fight against corruption in government and private institutions should not be underestimated, especially as Sierra Leone is being rated the second highest money laundry country in the world.

"It is interesting to note that the customer base of most of the commercial banks in the country is not encouraging but yet their financial returns for every financial year are buoyant and this has sustained their operations in the country," observed the anti-graft commission boss.

"We have to put our efforts together to stamp out corruption in our society. Sierra Leone being ranked the second highest in the world for money laundry should be a serious concern to all of us because these are some of the inhibiting factors in the fight against corruption. My commission has now signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK government for the ACC to trace financial records of corrupt officials who deposit their monies in foreign banks.

The ACC has targeted several government institutions in their crusade against corruption and its practices, an effort that has created awareness among government officials and private individuals who have been embroiled in illegal activities.

But some observers have strongly criticized the commission for the slow pace at which some of their cases are being pursued in court.