Freetown: The University of Sierra Leone (USL) has responded to the recent report issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) during a press conference held on May 20, 2026, at the University House Committee Room, Fourah Bay College, Mount Aureol, Freetown.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, USL Registrar Munda Lebbie described the meeting as both important and urgent. He stated that the university received the ACC report on May 8 and decided to study its contents thoroughly before making a public response. 'As academics, whenever issues are raised concerning the university, we must first examine them carefully before speaking to the media,' he emphasized.

Lebbie mentioned that the university's management reviewed the report internally and concurred that the Director of Communications would present the institution's official position. He asserted that the press conference aimed to address concerns raised in the report and clarify the university's response to the allegations.

USL Director of Communications, Dr. Tonya Musa, remarked that the university and the ACC share a mutual national goal of promoting good governance, accountability, peace, and stability. 'We want to make it clear that there is no adversarial relationship between the University of Sierra Leone and the ACC,' he stated. 'Our intention is not to be confrontational, but to set the record straight.'

However, the university objected to what it described as the impression created by the ACC report that punitive action had been taken against certain senior staff members. Dr. Musa clarified that the officials in question were placed on leave because their contracts had expired, not due to the investigation. 'The senior staff members were on five-year contracts by virtue of the positions they held, and at the end of those contracts, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education sent them on leave,' he explained.

Dr. Musa also contended that the ACC exceeded its mandate by using the term 'exonerated' in its report. 'The ACC investigates; it does not arbitrate,' he stated. 'Saying individuals have been exonerated is misleading because matters under investigation can only be finally determined by a court of law.'

The university also raised concerns about alleged administrative irregularities identified by its own investigation committee. Dr. Musa stated that a subcommittee established by the university documented 17 breaches, despite the ACC report allegedly stating that there was no cause for alarm.

On procurement and financial management, the university questioned the purchase of a vehicle valued at 126,000 US dollars. While the ACC reportedly found no wrongdoing in the procurement process, university management said the issue of value for money remained unresolved. 'We are always saying there is no money,' Dr. Musa said.

The university also defended its authority to oversee the operations of the university business centre, despite the ACC report allegedly stating that the centre operates independently because it is registered as a company. 'The university is a public entity,' Dr. Musa said. 'Its assets and finances are public, and management believes it has the authority to audit and supervise the business centre.'

On audit compliance, the university maintained that serious concerns remained over the late submission of audit reports. Dr. Musa said the Audit Service had previously written to the Accountant General requesting the withholding of the Vice-Chancellor's salary over the failure to submit audit reports dating back to 2022.

Dr. Musa confirmed that the university had submitted all relevant documents from its internal investigations to the ACC, including reports produced by four subcommittees. He added that the university would release both the investigation report and its position paper to the media to help the public better understand its concerns.

The university is also demanding a retraction from the ACC over sections of the report it believes contradict the available evidence. 'Demanding a retraction is part of the process,' Dr. Musa stated. Despite its disagreements with parts of the report, the university acknowledged the ACC's recommendations on reforms and institutional processes.