Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice hosted a high-level delegation from the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) on Thursday, June 25, 2026, marking a significant step in the nation's efforts to combat financial illicit activities. The delegation was specifically received by Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, showing the judiciary's direct involvement and commitment to these critical discussions. David N. Borbor, Director of Sierra Leone’s Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA), led the delegation, emphasizing the national importance of the collaborative initiative. During the discussions, Mr. Borbor stated that an effective asset recovery system is a vital component of the country’s fight against corruption, organized crime, and illicit financial flows. This system, he elaborated, is key for safeguarding the nation's economic stability and ensuring justice.
ARINWA Delegation Meets Judiciary
The high-profile meeting between the judiciary and the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) delegation occurred at the Chief Justice's Chambers, located on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone. The ARINWA delegation included several key figures from the organization and its member states, reflecting the broad regional commitment to combating financial crime. Among them were Mor Ndiaye, who serves as the President and Director General of Senegal’s National Office for the Recovery of Criminal Assets (ONRAC), bringing valuable insights from Senegal's experiences. Also present were Madam Kadiatou Ly Sangaré, ARINWA's Permanent Secretary, and Charles Ballet, the Assistant Permanent Secretary. Their presence showed the collaborative nature of the discussions on asset recovery strategies and the importance of a unified regional approach. The agenda for the meeting focused on sharing best practices and identifying areas for enhanced cooperation between Sierra Leone and its regional partners.
Strengthening Asset Recovery Frameworks
The meeting centered on advancing efforts to establish a full Asset Recovery and Management Framework within Sierra Leone, a critical initiative aimed at enhancing the country's legal and operational capabilities. Chief Justice Komba Kamanda stressed the importance of establishing effective legal mechanisms that ensure prosecution and deprive criminals of financial benefits from illegal activities. He further stated that strengthening the legal framework for tracing, confiscating, and managing criminal assets is essential to protecting the country’s economic and governance systems from the corrosive effects of illicit wealth. Chief Justice Kamanda emphasized the judiciary's unwavering commitment to this goal, stating, "Crime should never pay." This strong framework aims to bolster the country's capacity to combat illicit financial flows and reinforce the rule of law by ensuring that illegally acquired wealth is systematically identified, seized, and recovered, thereby deterring future criminal enterprises and upholding societal trust in the legal system.
Regional Cooperation Against Crime
The meeting noted Sierra Leone’s commitment to aligning its legal and judicial systems with international best practices in asset recovery and financial crime prevention, recognizing that such crimes often transcend national borders. The visit by the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network for West Africa (ARINWA) delegation forms part of broader regional efforts aimed at enhancing cooperation among West African countries. These concerted efforts focus on the tracing, recovery, and management of assets obtained through criminal activities, acknowledging the complex nature of cross-border financial offenses. Such collaboration is expected to improve information sharing among nations, fostering a more integrated and effective response to organized crime. It also aims to strengthen institutional capacity across the region, equipping law enforcement and judicial bodies with the necessary tools and expertise. The cooperation seeks to promote coordinated responses to cross-border financial crimes, reinforcing the collective fight against illicit financial flows and ensuring that West Africa presents a united front against those who seek to profit from illegal activities.
